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Real Madrid Escalates Referee Protest with Boycott of Copa del Rey Pre-Match Events

The club's refusal to attend training, press conferences, and official ceremonies underscores mounting tensions with Spanish football authorities over officiating controversies.

Florentino Pérez, presidente del Real Madrid.
Hansi Flick, técnico del Barça, en La Cartuja.
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Overview

  • Real Madrid skipped all official pre-match events on April 25, including training, press conferences, and the ceremonial team photo ahead of the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona.
  • The boycott follows a campaign by Real Madrid TV targeting referees, which has drawn complaints and a strike threat from VAR chief Pablo González Fuertes.
  • Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, set to officiate the final, broke down in tears during a press conference, citing harassment stemming from the media campaign.
  • Club president Florentino Pérez also declined to attend the official federation dinner with Spanish Football Federation and Barcelona representatives.
  • The Copa del Rey final, a marquee event in Spanish football, is scheduled to take place on April 26 at Sevilla’s Estadio de La Cartuja.