Real Madrid boycotted pre-match activities ahead of their Copa del Rey final against rivals Barcelona after the match referee gave an emotional press conference in which he called out Real for criticising the official on their in-house tv channel.
A club source told Reuters that the decision was taken due to Real's "unprecedented astonishment" at the press conference given by referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea earlier on Friday, who broke down in tears while responding to a critical video published by RMTV.
The source said Real saw the press conference as "a clear conflict of interest" and, while they have not asked the Spanish FA (RFEF) to replace the officials, they believe the refereeing team should be changed.
The RFEF did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Preparations for the final were thrown into chaos when match referee De Burgos gave a press conference in which he cried as he responded to the RMTV video.
The video, released on Thursday, shows what RMTV says is a series of errors made by De Burgos throughout his career.
🚨 BREAKING: Real Madrid is considering NOT playing in Copa del Rey Final tomorrow unless the referee and VAR is changed.
— Pubity Sport (@pubitysport) April 25, 2025
They are considering going HOME. 😲
(Via @elmundoes) pic.twitter.com/pQ8nUjhBHp
The release is the latest in a string of edits by RMTV, criticising Spanish officials.
De Burgos expressed his distress during the press conference, stating: "When a child arrives at school and his mates tell him that his father is a thief, it makes you sick."
He went on to emphasise his integrity and the challenges faced by many officials, in professional football and at grassroots level.
"What I do is try to educate my son to tell him that his father is an honest man, that he makes mistakes like any other sportsman. It's very hard, I don't recommend it to anyone...
"It is not right what we are going through for many colleagues, not only in professional football, but also in grassroots football. Let everyone reflect on where we want to go, on what we want from sport and from football."
Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes, the VAR official for Saturday's final who was sat next to De Burgos, said referees would soon take action due to the continuous pressure they face.
"We are going to start taking real action, we are not going to continue to allow what is happening," he said.
"In a few days you all will see. We are going to make history and we are not going to continue to put up with what we are putting up with. A strike? You will have news from us soon."
🚨 OFFICIAL: Real Madrid statement.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 25, 2025
“Real Madrid CF considers the public statements made today by the referees designated for the Copa del Rey Final, scheduled to be held tomorrow, April 26, 2025, to be unacceptable.
These protests, which have surprisingly focused attention on… pic.twitter.com/oeBUc4dLjm
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick said on Friday that action should be taken to protect referees due to the pressure they face.
"For me, it's only a sport. It's only a game. It's only football... It is our responsibility to protect not only the players but all the people involved in the game," Flick told a press conference.
"It's not nice that happened today. Of course, sometimes on the pitch that are some decisions that are about emotion but after the match, we should be done with it. Something must be done."
In February, the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) highlighted referees' concerns over abuse, citing the case of official Jose Munuera Montero, who faced a backlash after issuing a red card to Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham.
A few weeks earlier, Real had also lodged a letter of complaint against the Spanish referees following their 1-0 defeat by Espanyol.