Atlético de Madrid has issued a sharp rebuke to Real Madrid, accusing their city rivals of damaging the reputation of Spanish football through ongoing public campaigns against referees ahead of the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona.
The controversy intensified after Real Madrid TV released videos criticizing referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, who is set to officiate the final. In response, De Burgos became emotional during a press conference, highlighting the personal toll of such attacks and calling for greater respect towards match officials.
Atlético condemned Real Madrid's actions, stating that the continuous use of their media channels to discredit referees tarnishes the image of Spanish football. In a statement, Atlético de Madrid declared:
"This is unbearable. Enough with tarnishing the image of Spanish football. #StopRefHarassmentNow,” read Atlético’s post,
The club emphasized the importance of upholding the integrity of the sport and supporting the officiating community.
In solidarity, the International Union of Atlético Supporters' Clubs questioned Real Madrid's place in the final, referencing a controversial decision in their semifinal against Celta Vigo. This collective criticism underscores the growing concern over Real Madrid's influence and the potential impact on the fairness of the competition.
Real Madrid, for their part, canceled all pre-final media activities, including training sessions and press conferences, citing concerns over the referees' impartiality. The club's actions have been interpreted as a protest against the officiating appointments and the perceived bias stemming from the referees' public comments.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) rejected Real Madrid's request to replace the appointed referees, asserting that the officials are fully prepared to oversee the match. The RFEF emphasized that allowing clubs to influence referee assignments could set a dangerous precedent.
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