Hansi Flick Blasts Real Madrid Over Copa del Rey Referee Controversy

‎Barcelona head coach, Hansi Flick, has accused Real Madrid of showing disrespect toward match officials and losing sight of true sportsmanship ahead of the Copa del Rey final.

‎He expressed concern over the tension building before the match at La Cartuja in Seville. The controversy began when Madrid’s official TV channel released a video criticizing referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea and comparing his records in matches involving both teams.

‎A tearful Bengoetxea responded at a press conference, during which VAR official Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes had a much more aggressive warning about what referees are being forced to put up with.

‎Madrid responded by condemning Flick’s comments and demanding that the match officials be replaced.

‎However, the club denied ever contemplating a boycott of the game, despite canceling a public training session and opting not to attend a pre-match press conference or photo shoot.

‎”For me, it’s just sport, it’s just football,” Flick said at his own press conference, taking the high ground and a position of common sense.

‎”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.

‎”We have to enjoy the final. We have a young team. It will be a great experience for a young group. There are no favorites in a final. We want to start well and fight for the title.”

‎Madrid have caused a stir all season with their criticism of referees and indignation at perceived unfair treatment at the hands of officials and Spain’s football authorities.

‎In February, there were rumors that the club was contemplating leaving Spanish football to play in another country, a suggestion that La Liga president Javier Tebas openly dismissed with laughter.

‎While this threat has yet to materialize, the club did notably boycott the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony after it became clear just hours before the event that Vinicius Junior would not win the award over deserving rival contender Rodri.