REAL Madrid have reacted angrily to a news conference where the referee for Saturday’s Copa del Rey final broke down in tears at the pressure the club’s TV channel has put officials under.
However, they denied reports they were considering pulling out of Saturday’s Clasico encounter against Barcelona in Seville (21:00 BST kick-off).
Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, who will referee the game, become the latest official to be attacked on Real Madrid TV this season.
A club video pointed out the win percentages of Barca and Real when the Spaniard has taken charge of their games, the fact he has never refereed in the Champions League or Fifa tournaments, and supposed mistakes the 39-year-old has made.
An emotional De Burgos Bengoetxea said: “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.
“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.”
Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes, who will be the video assistant referee (VAR) for the final, also spoke out against Real Madrid TV.
But the 15-time European champions later refused to take part in pre-match activities, boycotting an open training session and press conference.
The Spanish football federation (RFEF) said: “Real Madrid told the RFEF they will not take part in the press conference or the official training session looking forward to the [final].”
As the drama unfolded, Real Madrid released two critical statements, the second of which read: “In light of the rumours that have emerged in recent hours, Real Madrid CF announces that our team has never considered withdrawing from tomorrow’s final.
“Our club understands that the unfortunate and inappropriate statements made by the referees designated for this match, made 24 hours before the final, cannot taint a sporting event of global significance that will be watched by hundreds of millions of people, and out of respect for all the fans who are planning to travel to Seville, and all those who are already in the Andalusian capital.
“Real Madrid believes that the values of football must prevail, despite the hostility and animosity that have been manifested once again today against our club by the referees appointed for the final.”
Back in February, Real Madrid wrote a formal letter of complaint to the Spanish FA (RFEF) and Spain’s High Council for Sports saying Spanish refereeing was “rigged” and “completely discredited”.
In Friday’s news conference, De Burgos Bengoetxea said: “It’s not right what we are going through, many colleagues, and not just in professional football, but also at grassroots level.
“Everyone should reflect about where we want to go, about what we want from sport and from football.”
The Spaniard, who also officiates in Uefa club and international competitions, has previously taken charge of Clasico encounters.
VAR Fuertes added: “Have no doubt that we are going to have to start taking much more serious measures than we are taking.
“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.”