Real Madrid boycott Copa del Rey build-up in furious protest over referee complaints

Shocking fold of events with just over a day to go until the Copa del Rey final between Barcelona and Real Madrid on Saturday night. Los Blancos have decided to cancel Friday's press conference and open training session in protest against the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).

"Real Madrid have announced to the RFEF that they will not go ahead with either the press conference or the open training session scheduled for today at La Cartuja of Seville ahead of the final of the Copa del Rey," the Spanish Football Federation wrote in a statement on Friday evening.

Referees' comments cause havoc

It is understood that Real Madrid are furious with referees De Burgos Bengoetxea and Gonzalez Fuertes, appointed to officiate the final at La Cartuja, due to their comments in the preview of the showdown.  "Honestly, I don't care about the videos they make. You will see in the coming days, we will make history with stricter measures," on-pitch official De Burgos Bengoetxea said earlier today in response to Real Madrid TV's criticism of his refereeing.

VAR referee Fuertes also made headlines after getting visibly teary during Friday afternoon's press conference, and revealing the difficulties he faced in dealing with elevated amounts of criticism "When your son goes to school and there are children who tell him that his father is a thief and he comes home crying, that's really tough," he told reporters.

According to the same source, Real Madrid are demanding that the RFEF change the officials for Saturday's final in Seville, as well as an apology from the duo following their remarks. 'Relevo' further reports that the club are going as far as threatening not to play the final against the Catalans should the request not be fulfilled. 

Real Madrid's statement

Real Madrid have released a statement detailing their side of the story: "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.

"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."