As El Clasico fever heats up, it’s not just the players making headlines. The spotlight has turned to the referee for the Copa del Rey final — and the growing storm around him.
Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has now stepped into the conversation, calling out Real Madrid for their behavior toward match official Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea.
In a press conference on Friday, Flick made it clear where he stands. Without naming names, he sent a strong message about respecting referees, a call football sorely needs right now.
“For me, it’s just sport, it’s just football,” Flick said.
“We have to protect everyone involved in the game. The fans, they all want to see the players, how they play. We need the referees, and we have to look after them and be careful. It’s not fair play not to look after them, it’s not showing them respect.”
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How the row between Copa del Rey final referee and Real Madrid began?
The drama began when Real Madrid released a video through their club channel, questioning de Burgos Bengoetxea’s record when officiating Barcelona games.
Los Blancos also asked for the referee to be replaced and canceled some of their final preparations, adding even more fuel to an already blazing fire.
Things became even more emotional when the referee revealed that his son had faced bullying because of the controversy.
It’s safe to say that this Copa del Rey final is not short of plot twists — and the match hasn’t even kicked off yet.
While fans hope the trophy will be decided by magic on the field and not mistakes off it, it’s hard to ignore the tension bubbling underneath.
After all, when it comes to El Clasico, there’s always extra time… for drama.
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