Real Madrid call for removal of Copa del Rey referees after ‘unacceptable’ views

Real Madrid have branded comments made by match officials set to take charge of their Copa del Rey final against Barcelona “unacceptable” after the referee broke down in tears at a press conference.

In a strongly-worded statement, the reigning LaLiga champions suggested referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea and VAR Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes should be removed from Saturday’s El Clasico in Seville.

Real later announced they had “never considered refusing to play” the silverware showdown at Estadio La Cartuja in response to media “rumours”.

Bilbao-born De Burgos Bengoetxea cried in front of the media as he revealed the pressure Real’s television channel has put referees under.

The 39-year-old is the latest in a line of officials to be criticised on Real Madrid TV this season.

A video released this week pointed out the win percentages of Barca and Real when he has taken charge of their games, the fact he has never refereed in the Champions League or FIFA tournaments and his supposed mistakes.

De Burgos Bengoetxea said “it’s not right what we are going through” during an emotional press conference, while VAR Gonzalez Fuertes warned officials could take action over the broadcasts.

Real seemingly boycotted their official media appointments on Friday before complaining of “clear and manifest animosity and hostility” towards the club from referees.

“Real Madrid CF considers the public statements made today by the referees designated for the Copa del Rey final to be unacceptable,” read a statement on the club website.

“These protests, which have surprisingly focused attention on videos from a media outlet protected by freedom of expression, such as Real Madrid TV, deliberately carried out 24 hours earlier against one of the final’s