The “absence” of Real Madrid, which has been widely discussed in Spanish football, has finally received an official response. Real Madrid have categorically denied that they will withdraw from Saturday’s Copa del Rey final against Barcelona. Although they did not attend the official pre-match press conference and training session in protest at the referee’s comments, the club insisted that they will not pull out of the game.
Real Madrid upset over referee’s comments
It all started when referee Ricardo de Burgos and video assistant referee Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes criticized Real Madrid’s official TV channel in a public statement before the match. They pointed out that Real Madrid TV often releases videos before and after matches criticizing the referee’s decisions and even suggesting that the referee is biased.
These comments made the Real Madrid team very unhappy. Coach Carlo Ancelotti and midfielder Modric, who were scheduled to attend the press conference, temporarily canceled their trips, and Real Madrid also decided not to participate in the officially scheduled pre-match training and photo sessions.
Real Madrid: We never considered withdrawing from the game
Real Madrid have since released an official statement denying rumors that they would boycott the final. They said:
“We have never considered pulling out of the tournament. We respect the fans who have come to Seville and we understand the importance of this game for the world’s public. Even though the referee was only identified the day before kick-off and made some inappropriate comments, we will still play the game. Sportsmanship is the most important thing for us.
Real Madrid stressed that their protest was not intended to cause chaos, but rather to communicate their dissatisfaction with the refereeing system. They hope that the Spanish Football Federation will take action to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
Real Madrid’s request for a referee change was not granted
According to ESPN, Real Madrid submitted a request to the Spanish Football Federation to change the refereeing team for this final. However, the Spanish federation has not yet received a formal request, nor has it announced whether it will change the referee.
This is not the first time Real Madrid have expressed strong dissatisfaction with the referee. In February this year, in the match with the Spaniards, the opposing player on the Mbappe foul, but not red card, Real Madrid then sent to the FA formal complaint. Club president Florentino Perez has even repeatedly and publicly called for Spain should reform the referee system, but also said that the introduction of England’s referees can be considered to La Liga law enforcement.
Referee gets emotional, demands respect
As the controversy swirled, the referee in question expressed his feelings in a press conference. Referee De Burgos said his family had been affected by the criticism from outside.
He said, “My son was called ‘son of a thief’ at school and that’s really hard on a family. I just want my kid to know that I’m a decent person and a serious athlete. I want him to be proud of me.
Video assistant referee Gonzalez Fuertes also added that the social media attacks have affected the entire refereeing community.
He said: “Many people are now using the Internet to abuse us and even threaten our safety. Some clubs use the mistakes of referees to get clicks. In the long run, it is the young people who are learning to referee who are really affected. We can’t go on like this”.
Real Madrid TV often questions refereeing decisions
In recent years, Real Madrid’s TV station has often broadcast videos analyzing referees before and after games. The content often highlights the wrong decisions made by the referees, especially after matches against Barcelona. Recently, the channel also aired a video of De Burgos refereeing the Real Madrid-Barcelona match, highlighting a number of controversial calls.
While these videos have resonated with fans, they have also angered the refereeing team. They feel that it is disrespectful to the work of the referee and gives the public the impression that the referee is always biased in favor of Barcelona.
The Spanish Football Federation has called for calm in the dispute
In light of the tense situation, Spanish FA president Rafael Lozan has come out to call for calm. He stressed:
“This game is not only important for Spanish football, it is also an event for the world audience. We have been preparing for this game for months. I understand the referee’s emotions and the club’s position, but I hope that everyone will be reasonable and work together to ensure that the game goes off without a hitch”.
He said he had communicated with the refereeing team but would not interfere with the decisions of the Technical Refereeing Committee. The appointment of referees is a professional matter and he will not intervene.
Real Madrid still have a chance to win the double
Despite being knocked out of the Champions League by Arsenal, Real Madrid are still in contention for a double in the domestic arena. With five rounds of La Liga remaining, Real Madrid are only four points behind Barcelona and could still overtake them. The Copa del Rey final is one of the key battles for the title.
For Real Madrid, this game is not only a matter of honor, but also a “face war” to be won. The team is hoping to answer the skepticism of the outside world with a victory and a satisfying ending for the fans.
