Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, who will officiate the Copa del Rey final, became emotional on Friday as he addressed the intense pressure officials have faced from Real Madrid TV throughout the season.
Los Blancos are set to clash with their rivals Barcelona on Saturday in the Spanish cup final in Seville, and this week the club’s TV channel released a video criticising the officiating, a tactic they have employed against several referees this season.
In February, Real Madrid also issued an open letter claiming that Spanish refereeing was “rigged” and “entirely discredited”.
“When your child goes to school and other kids are calling his father a ‘thief’, it’s deeply upsetting,” de Burgos Bengoetxea conveyed at a news conference.
“As a parent, I try to teach my son that his father is honest—above all, honest—and that everyone can make mistakes, just like any athlete,” he continued, visibly stirred.
“This situation is truly troubling… but when I eventually leave this role, I want my son to be proud of who his father is and what refereeing stands for, as it imparts many values.”
Wiping away tears, the 39-year-old called for greater reflection on the matter of referee abuse.
“What we are enduring is unacceptable, and it’s not just among professional football referees; it extends to grassroots levels as well,” he remarked.
“Everyone needs to consider what direction we want to take—what we desire from sport and from football.”
Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes, the VAR referee for the final, indicated that officials may take further actions regarding Real Madrid TV’s broadcasts in the near future.
“Rest assured that we will have to start implementing much more serious measures than what we’ve done so far,” Gonzalez Fuertes stated.
“We can’t keep tolerating what’s happening. You will soon hear more from us.
“We are on the brink of making a significant change, as we can no longer endure this treatment.”
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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