Madrid says it will play in the final, but wants the referees changed.

BarcelonaThe run-up to the Copa del Rey final between Barça and Real Madrid, scheduled for this Saturday at 10 p.m. (TV3), is grotesque and bizarre. Real Madrid has decided not to attend the official pre-match press conference, nor the training session, nor the official photos, nor the pre-match gala dinner. In short, they have turned up at all the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) events scheduled before the final.

But things have gone further, and sources close to the team chaired by Florentino Pérez were even threatening to skip the final. It was a rumor that was gaining momentum as the hours passed and forced the club to issue a statement denying it. However, Real Madrid wants the referees for the final to be changed. Although, in a cynical act of throwing stones and hiding their hand, there is no official voice explicitly calling for it, but rather it is the Madrid president's entourage that is responsible for leaking it to the media.

Events have accelerated in the afternoon. Madrid has stood up to the Federation, and the rumors have begun. The first reaction, with Real Madrid's own stamp, came around 8 p.m., with a statement attacking the final referees—De Burgos Bengoetxea on the field and González Fuertes in the VAR—because at midday, in their press appearance, they criticized the pressure they are receiving through Real Madrid TV. The Whites consider what they have said "unacceptable" and urge the RFEF to "take measures." They don't say what, but everyone is clear that they want to be relieved of their duties and two alternative referees appointed for this Saturday's final. "The deliberate statements made 24 hours earlier against one of the participants in the final demonstrate, once again, the clear and manifest animosity and hostility of these referees toward Real Madrid," the text adds.

But the question remained as to what would happen on Saturday. off the record At La Cartuja, they clutched their heads. In this dispute, the RFEF closed ranks and refused to change the referees, as it would set a very dangerous precedent. The doubts dissipated around midnight when Madrid, in a new statement, guaranteed that they would take the field. "Under no circumstances have we considered playing the final," the statement reads.

Referees shed tears for the situation they are experiencing before the Cup final

Real Madrid embraced the story, taking advantage of the referees' press conference this Friday. It's unusual for referees to speak publicly. It only happens on very special occasions, like the one before the Copa del Rey final. "When a child arrives at school and everyone else tells him his father is a thief, it's really tough. I try to raise my son to tell him that his father is honest, and that when he makes a mistake, he makes one like any other athlete," de Burgos said through tears. His words were in response to a journalist's question about how he had received the new Real Madrid TV video criticizing him.

"When I leave here, from refereeing, I want my son to be proud. We shouldn't have to go through what we're going through, but it's not just among professionals; many families depend on it, especially in youth football. Let everyone reflect," added the main referee of the Copa del Rey final. Following these statements, several media outlets in the Spanish capital reported that Real Madrid has pressured the RFEF to change the referees for the final, but they have ruled out this happening because the Federation is unwilling to act according to what suits the club. Then came the snub from the entity chaired by Florentino Pérez.

"What we need to do is call for calm. Thousands of people have traveled from all over Spain to experience this final, and we will contribute to a good match, so that the referees can do their job," said Medina Cantalejo, president of the Technical Committee of Referees, in an impromptu meeting with the media. In the afternoon, Barça manager Hansi Flick also sought to ease the tension. "On the pitch, decisions are made, but after that, you have to put everything behind you. We need the referees. I've been saying for a long time that all the clubs should take care of them, just as we do with the players. It's our responsibility."

Possible strike

Before De Burgos Bengoetxea, González Fuertes has also been resolute in his defense of the refereeing community. "There is more unity than ever among referees, possibly due to the situation we are facing. We will begin to take measures; we will no longer allow what is happening. You will soon see it. We will make history and we will no longer tolerate what we are enduring," he stated. Asked if the measures would include a strike, he replied that "you will hear about it soon."

González Fuertes has also been critical of the Real Madrid TV videos. "We must be aware of the consequences of these videos. We have seen anonymous accounts on social media that insult and threaten without any control. We are seeing community managers officers attacking the group with a like more. When a journalist talks about heist"The fans pay for their frustration with the boy or girl who referees a children's game," he considered. And he warned: "One day we will have a real problem, this will have consequences and we will put our hands on our heads and condemn it. We must all turn around this situation of belligerence."