El Clásico is the biggest sporting event of the year, which is eagerly awaited by millions across the globe. It is more than a rivalry, representing two philosophies against each other in an all-out war. After humiliating Real Madrid in La Liga 4-0 and in the Super Copa final 5-2, Barcelona is about to face their bitter rivals in the Copa del Rey final. Real Madrid may know that Barcelona is miles better than them this season. Considering this, the Madrid mafia has launched a campaign to influence the game from outside the pitch.
Targeting the Referees
After the RFEF announced the referees, Real Madrid TV released videos targeting the officials, particularly De Burgos Bengoetxea, showing clips of how he always gives decisions against Madrid. This affected the official a lot as De Burgos Bengoetxea broke down into tears during the press conference before the final. “There is no right to what we are going through. It is really f*cked up when my son comes home from school and says his dad is a thief.” Until the last minute, Real Madrid continued to place pressure on the RFEF to change the referees. However, the RFEF president, Rafael Louzàn, has confirmed referees will remain the same: “We have appointed referees for tomorrow’s match already, and they will NOT be changed.”
Cancellation of formal events
Real Madrid has cancelled all press conferences before the final, including the coach and players. Their team will also not train at the La Cartuja stadium to express their dissatisfaction with the appointed referees. Real Madrid also decided not to attend the board gala dinner. In my opinion, these events are nothing but a strategy to pressure the RFEF to remove their referees, so Madrid can appoint pro-Real Madrid referees through their influence. Even if they don’t, they’re trying to pressure the referees into giving biased decisions during the match.
In conclusion, this is a rare moment where Real Madrid has shown their true colours to the world so explicitly. This shameless tantrum by them says a lot about how they won the “15 UCLs”. In this Copa del Rey final it will not be Barca vs Real Madrid but rather Football vs Corruption.