Real Madrid expressed outrage after referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, set to officiate the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona, broke down in tears due to pressure from the club’s TV channel. The club condemned the referees’ statements and their focus on media scrutiny, deeming it an act of hostility towards them, leading to a boycott of pre-match events. Meanwhile, both de Burgos and VAR Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes called for serious measures against the ongoing abuse faced by officials, stressing the need to protect the integrity of the sport.
