Match official shed tears as he responded to a video published by Real Madrid TV, but the club have now issued their own scathing response
Real Madrid have issued a statement condemning the remarks made by the referee appointed to officiate Saturday’s Copa del Rey final against Barcelona.
The referee, De Burgos Bengoetxea, cried while speaking in a press conference on Friday about a video released by Real Madrid TV.
The video showed a series of errors that Madrid claimed had been made by the referee throughout his career. It was only one among a string of edits made by the club’s TV recently, criticising match officials.
But the club have responded with a scathing message, saying – among other things – that RMTV was protected by freedom of expression.
“Real Madrid CF considers the public statements made today by the referees designated for the Copa del Rey Final, scheduled to be held tomorrow, April 26, 2025, to be unacceptable,” the statement read.
“These protests, which have surprisingly focused attention on videos from a media outlet protected by freedom of expression, such as Real Madrid TV, deliberately carried out 24 hours earlier against one of the final’s participants, demonstrate, once again, the clear and manifest animosity and hostility of these referees toward Real Madrid.
“Even more surprising statements, in a threatening tone, alluding to the referees’ unity, were used to announce alleged measures or actions that fall far short of the principles of fairness, objectivity, and impartiality that should prevail just hours before a football event that captures the attention of hundreds of millions of people around the world.
“Given the seriousness of what happened, Real Madrid hopes that those responsible for the RFEF and the refereeing body will act accordingly, adopting the necessary measures to defend the prestige of the institutions they represent.”
The dispute escalates what was already serious tension between the rival clubs as they head into the final in Seville.
