Overview

• Real Madrid will play the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona despite earlier speculation about a potential withdrawal due to referee concerns.
• The club boycotted all pre-match activities, including press conferences and training, citing dissatisfaction with the referee's assignment.
• Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea tearfully addressed the intense pressure he and his family have faced, following public criticism from Real Madrid's official TV channel.
• Real Madrid had released a video questioning de Burgos Bengoetxea's qualifications and neutrality, highlighting win-rate disparities and his lack of major tournament experience.
• This dispute reflects ongoing tensions between Real Madrid and Spain's football authorities, with the club previously calling for systemic reform of refereeing and labeling the system 'corrupt from within.'