Real Madrid boycott Copa final build-up amid 'unacceptable' ref statements

A Barcelona supporter gestures in front of Real Madrid supporters on a bridge over the Guadalquivir River before the Spanish Cup, Copa del Rey (King's Cup) final between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF in Seville, on April 26, 2025 (AFP photo)
Seville, Spain, April 25, 2025 — Real Madrid lashed out at the Copa del Rey final referees on the eve of Saturday's match, labelling complaints about pressure from the club's television channel "unacceptable" and boycotting all planned pre-match activities in protest.
"These statements... made in a premeditated manner 24 hours before the final against one of the participants, demonstrate, once again, a clear and manifest animosity and hostility of these referees towards Real Madrid," said Los Blancos in a statement.
Real Madrid refused to take part in the usual press conference, the open training in front of media, the traditional presidents' dinner and a pre-match photo-call.
Spanish media reported Madrid were considering boycotting the final itself if the referees were not changed, but the reigning La Liga champions released another statement denying that.
"Our team has never considered not playing in tomorrow's final," said Madrid.
This week, the club's television channel aired a new video attacking the referee for the final at La Cartuja in Seville, something they have done to various officials this season.
The main match referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, welled up when speaking earlier Friday about pressure officials have faced from Real Madrid TV over the past few months.
"Real Madrid considers the public statements made by the Copa del Rey final referees unacceptable," said the club in their initial statement.
Madrid took particular issue with the final's VAR referee Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes suggesting referees were "united" and looking to take collective action against the pressure they had received from Real Madrid TV.
Madrid said his words had "a threatening tone" and suggested action would be taken that was "far removed from the principles of fairness, objectivity and impartiality" necessary for the final.
"In view of the seriousness of what has happened, Real Madrid hopes that those in charge of the RFEF and the refereeing profession will act accordingly, adopting the relevant measures in defence of the prestige of the institutions they represent," added Madrid.
Los Blancos published an open letter in February claiming Spanish refereeing was "rigged" and "completely discredited".
Real Madrid have form when it comes to boycotts: in October they stayed away from the Ballon d'Or ceremony because their winger Vinicius Junior was not named the best player in the world.
"Real Madrid does not go where it is not respected," the club said at the time.
- 'It's totally messed up' -
De Burgos Bengoetxea had spoken about the effect criticism from Real Madrid's television channel was having on his family life.
"When a child of yours goes to school and there are kids telling him that his father is a 'thief' and comes home crying, it's totally messed up," De Burgos Bengoetxea told a news conference.
"What I do is try to educate my son, to say that his father is honest, above all honest, who can make mistakes, like any sportsperson," he continued, becoming emotional.
Wiping away tears, the 39-year-old called for deeper thought on the issue of referee abuse.
"Everyone should reflect about where we want to go, about what we want from sport and from football," he added.
Gonzalez Fuertes had suggested officials could take further action over Real Madrid TV's broadcasts in the coming weeks.
"Have no doubt that we are going to have to start taking much more serious measures than we are taking," said Gonzalez Fuertes.
"We will not continue to allow what is happening. Soon, you will hear from us.
"We are going to make history, because we are not going to continue to bear what we are putting up with."
Madrid's behaviour drew ire from La Liga chief Javier Tebas.
"This is not football, this is about control of power," said Tebas.
"(Madrid) leaks that they will not turn up at the cup final, what thin skin... they don't want to improve football, they want their own football."

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Ammon

a day ago

• Ammon

Mastantuono's move to Real Madrid was premature, says River boss Gallardo

Ammon News - Franco Mastantuono's transfer to Real Madrid came too soon, while the 17-year-old was still developing and pivotal to River Plate's future, said coach Marcelo Gallardo ahead of the Argentine team's Club World Cup match against Monterrey. Gallardo acknowledged Mastantuono's departure will leave a void in his squad after the Spanish giants completed a deal worth around $45 million with River for the teenager earlier this month. For the Argentine manager, the midfielder still needed more time to grow at the club, but he acknowledged the early transfer as an understandable part of modern football. "It's natural, we train players for the world. Everything is happening earlier, young players are leaving faster, and I understand that those are the rules of the game," Gallardo told ESPN on Friday. "Our sporting project for the year was with him. We have to readjust, because there are players who, by their nature, are difficult to replace. "We knew that Mastantuono was going to leave at some point, but fans don't enjoy it that way. The market dictates the timing." Gallardo said he's urging Mastantuono to stay focused on the tournament despite the noise around his move. "All I want is for him to play naturally, to try to forget about everything that's going on, which is very difficult," he said. "I don't talk to him about where he's going to live or anything like that. I want him to play, which is what he knows how to do." River began their Club World Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds, a result Gallardo described as key to easing early nerves. "We are happy to be able to be in a competition like this, a new one," he said. "I'm excited about how it's going, it was essential to start with a win and get over the nerves. "Now we're preparing for the match in Monterrey, which is a different level of difficulty."

Ammon

3 days ago

• Ammon

Real Madrid wilt in Miami heat as Al-Hilal spoil Alonso's debut

Ammon News - Real Madrid laboured to a 1-1 Club World Cup draw against a spirited Al-Hilal in searing heat on Wednesday as Xabi Alonso's managerial debut for the 15-time European champions delivered flashes of promise but ultimately felt like an exhibition match. Gonzalo Garcia, stepping in for the fever-stricken Kylian Mbappe, gave Real an early lead with a composed finish, but Ruben Neves levelled from the spot before halftime as Simone Inzaghi's men showed defensive grit and enough attacking intent to rattle their illustrious opponents. A last-gasp missed penalty from Federico Valverde summed up a day when Real's legs, and ideas, wilted in the heat and humidity at a nearly sold-out Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. RB Salzburg and Pachuca meet in the other Group H fixture later on Wednesday. Real will next face the Mexican side on Sunday, while Al-Hilal will take on Salzburg in what could prove a decisive clash for qualification to the knockout stage. With Mbappe ruled out, it was the 21-year-old Garcia who led the line for Real and he did not disappoint, while new signing Trent Alexander-Arnold was nowhere near the level that persuaded the Spanish club to lure him from Liverpool. It was Al-Hilal, however, who burst out of the blocks, swarming around the Real penalty area with early intent — though their finishing let them down at crucial moments. In the 29th minute, Salem Al-Dawsari nearly produced a moment of magic, weaving his way into the box before Aurelien Tchouameni slid in with a crucial interception to steer the ball behind. The Saudi side thought they had taken the lead shortly after, only for their celebrations to be cut short by an offside flag. Despite the heat - and with the cheapest tickets in the stadium selling for over $160 while premium seats soared beyond $950 - a vibrant crowd kept the energy high. A much-needed 30th-minute cooling break gave Real a chance to regroup, with players draping towels over their shoulders and gulping down rehydrating drinks in the sweltering heat. The short pause worked wonders. Police officer George Lyngeridis was killed by a flare during clashes between rival sport clubs outside a volleyball match in Athens in 2023. Four minutes later, Real struck. A slick team move carved open the Al-Hilal defence, and Garcia showed composure beyond his years, delicately lifting the ball over Yassine Bounou after being teed up by Rodrygo. But Al-Hilal refused to wilt. They drew level four minutes before halftime when Ruben Neves calmly slotted home a penalty after Raul Asencio pulled back Marcos Leonardo in the area. On the stroke of halftime, Al-Dawsari went close again, firing narrowly wide after latching onto a clever pass from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to cap another flowing Al-Hilal attack. Real stepped up a gear after the restart with substitute Arda Guler's shot crashing against the bar before Bounou made a stunning reaction save to deny Garcia. A second cooling break in the 68th minute did not refresh Real and although they continued to dominate, the Al-Hilal defence held firm.

Ammon

6 days ago

• Ammon

PSG cruise past Atletico to win Club World Cup opener

Ammon News - Newly crowned European Champions Paris Saint-Germain launched their bid for Club World Cup glory with a convincing 4-0 victory over Atletico Madrid on Sunday. In searing heat at the Pasadena Rose Bowl east of Los Angeles, PSG proved too hot to handle for their Spanish opponents in an impressive opening Group B win. Goals from Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, Senny Mayulu and Lee Kang-In sealed the three points for PSG, who delighted a crowd of 80,619 with their adventurous attacking play. The French giants picked up where they had left off in their 5-0 Champions League final mauling of Inter Milan a fortnight earlier, quickly settling into their smooth passing game to control the early exchanges. Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak was soon pressed into action, blocking a Goncalo Ramos shot from just outside the box on 17 minutes as PSG's pressure mounted. Oblak denied PSG again moments later, diving to stop a Khvicha Kvaratskhelia shot that was destined for the bottom left-hand corner. Those early warning shots proved to be a precursor for the game's opening goal in the 19th minute. A lovely passing move down the right saw the ball swiftly transferred to Georgian winger Kvaratskhelia who deftly laid off into the path of Ruiz to sweep in a low finish for 1-0. With Atletico struggling to gain any kind of a foothold in the contest, the Spanish side's frustration began to show. Clement Lenglet was booked for a rash challenge on Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi in the 21st minute, and Robin Le Normand picked up Atletico's second yellow soon afterwards for bringing down Ruiz. Ruiz himself was booked on 28 minutes for a shove on Giuliano Simeone before the Argentine midfielder collected Atletico's third yellow soon afterwards. With the Parisians in complete control, Atletico had to wait until the stroke of half-time before their first shot on goal, France's Antoine Griezmann drawing a smart save from Italy international Gianluigi Donnarumma with a low shot. From the ensuing counter-attack, however, Atletico found themselves 2-0 down. The electric Kvaratskhelia again found space down the left and fed inside to Vitinha, who ghosted into the box before steering a crisp shot beyond Oblak for 2-0. Atletico appeared to have hauled themselves back into the game early in the second half when Julian Alvarez rifled home a low finish to make it 2-1. But the goal was chalked off after VAR spotted a bodycheck by Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul on Desire Doue in the build-up. That effort appeared to buoy Atletico for the remainder of the half, but despite playing with greater intensity they were unable to create a single shot on goal. Lenglet was dismissed after picking up a second yellow card on 78 minutes. A disappointing Atleti display was summed up by a glaring miss four minutes later, substitute Alexander Sorloth somehow scooping over an open goal from a few yards out after Marcos Llorente's cross. PSG swiftly made Atleti pay for that miss, substitute Senny Mayulu pouncing on a loose ball to make it 3-0 in the 87th minute. The rout was completed in injury time when Lee stepped up to convert a penalty after a handball by Le Normand. PSG will face Brazil's Botafogo in their next group match in Pasadena on Thursday, before completing the first round against Major League Soccer's Seattle Sounders on June 23. AFP