Real Madrid are reportedly considering not playing the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona amid a row with referees.
Los Blancos take on their La Liga rivals in the third El Clasico of the season on Saturday and things are starting to get heated off the pitch. In a shocking development, Multiple Spanish outlets have claimed that Real Madrid are considering boycotting their Copa del Rey final.
According to report, Madrid’s request to eject head referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea was rejected by the Spanish football federation, RFEF.
To protest this move, Madrid have cancelled their public pre-match training session at Estadio de La Cartuja and have done the same for their press conference on Saturday afternoon.
General view of the Press Conference room before the Copa del Rey Final Match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at Estadio de La Cartuja on April 25, 2025 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
Real Madrid have been at odds with officials all season and sent a four-page letter complaining about two officials in March after a 1-0 loss to Espanyol.
Ahead of the cup final, Real Madrid TV posted a controversial video where they laid into referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoechea and implied that he has an agenda against them.
They highlighted a host of decisions they believe he got wrong against them as referee and on VAR and even mentioned their win ratio with him involved.
In a press conference, an emotional De Burgos Bengoechea addressed the video – while he and his VAR for the game Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes spoke passionately about the abuse referees are facing.
In addition, it’s claimed Real president Florentino Perez will not attend the official dinner on Friday.
The 15-time European champions have urged the RFEF to “disqualify” them but believe the governing body will act over what they perceive to be a “conflict of interest.”
