Real Madrid hit back after Copa del Rey referee’s tears over criticism on club’s TV channel

UPDATE: Barcelona edged past Real Madrid in extra-time on Saturday night to win the Copa del Rey final 3-2.

Original full report on uproar regarding referee’s pre-match comments:

Real Madrid have reacted angrily to a press 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.

Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea (main image) – who will referee Saturday’s game – spoke along with video assistant referee Pablo González Fuertes at the customary pre-Copa del Rey press conference for the referee crew, a rare moment for referees to be questioned by the press.

De Burgos Bengoetxea expressed his anguish to reporters after Madrid’s club-owned television station aired a video supposedly documenting his bias against the club.

He got emotional when he described the verbal abuse his child suffers because of criticism his profession receives from top clubs – in his case led by Real Madrid.

‘To see your son come from school crying because some kids have said his dad is a crook is very hard to take,’ De Burgos said as he choked up.

‘What I do is tell my son that his father is honourable. I make mistakes, like any athlete, but I am honorable,’ he said. ‘I want my son to be proud of his father and of the refereeing profession. Nobody has the right to submit my colleagues to what they are dealing with.’

The Real Madrid TV video claimed that Madrid won 64% of its games refereed by De Burgos, compared to 81% won by Barcelona under his watch. An unnamed voice called it ‘an incredible difference’, while also questioning his talent and showing images of his alleged errors. The video was accompanied by dramatic music. It failed to say who the opponents were in those matches or if they were played home or away.

Many neutral observers see this as Madrid attempting to pressure referees before games.

González Fuertes supported his fellow referee and launched a warning that Spain’s referees were going to take unspecified actions to curtail attacks on their honour.

‘Do not have the least doubt that we are going to have to start taking more serious measures,’ González Fuertes said, without giving details.

He added that he was worried that the verbal hate referees receive from players and as well on social media could have real-world consequences.

‘One day we will have a real problem and we will all hold our heads and condemn what happened, but who will be held responsible for the situation?’

Madrid fired back at the referees, calling their statements ‘unacceptable’ in a statement issued late Friday.

‘These statements, which have surprisingly placed in the spotlight videos made by a media outlet protected by freedom of expression, such as Realmadrid TV, made in a premeditated manner 24 hours ahead of the final against one of its participants, demonstrate, once again, these referees clear and manifest animosity and hostility towards Real Madrid,’ the club said.