Real Madrid deny suggestions they could boycott Copa del Rey final

Real Madrid have denied suggestions they could boycott Saturday's Copa del Rey final against Barcelona following a remarkable spat between the club and the referee appointed for the match.

On Friday, preparations for the final were thrown into turmoil when Madrid accused the match officials of having "animosity and hostility" towards them.

Madrid declined to conduct pre-match media activities after the match referee, Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, gave an emotional press conference in which he called out the club for criticising him on their in-house TV channel.

The official broke down in tears when speaking to reporters about a video produced by the club that was critical of his performances in the past.

De Burgos said: "When a child arrives at school and his mates tell him that his father is a thief, it makes you sick.

"What I do is try to educate my son to tell him that his father is an honest man, that he makes mistakes like any other sportsman. It's very hard, I don't recommend it to anyone.

"It is not right, what we are going through, for many colleagues... Let everyone reflect on where we want to go, on what we want from sport and from football."

Madrid have courted controversy with their treatment of match officials on several occasions this season, including when the club wrote a letter of complaint to the Spanish FA (RFEF) in February, claiming decisions were "rigged" against them.

The widespread abuse directed at Jose Munuera Montero after he showed Jude Bellingham a red card for dissent in February's 1-1 draw with Osasuna in LaLiga, meanwhile, was described as "repulsive" by the RFEF. 

In the aftermath of De Burgos' press conference, in which VAR official Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes also suggested Spanish referees may go on strike, Madrid claimed the officials had shown "a clear and manifest animosity and hostility against Real Madrid."

"In view of the seriousness of what has happened, Real Madrid hope that those in charge of the RFEF and the refereeing committee will act accordingly, adopting the corresponding measures in defence of the prestige of the institutions they represent," the club added.

Later on Friday, Madrid denied reports they were considering withdrawing from the final, though they had earlier said the refereeing team should be changed.

The club said: "In light of the rumours that have arisen in the last few hours, Real Madrid C.F. communicates that our team never considered refusing to play tomorrow's final.

"Our club understands that the unfortunate and inappropriate statements from the referees appointed for this match, made 24 hours before the final, cannot tarnish a sporting event of global importance that will be watched by hundreds of millions of people. 

"This is also done out of respect for all the fans who are planning to travel to Seville, and for all those who are already in the Andalusian capital.

"Real Madrid understands that football's values must prevail, despite the hostility and animosity that has today once again been shown against our club, by the referees appointed for the final."

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick was asked about the row at his pre-match press conference on Friday, calling on everyone involved in football to do more to protect referees.

He said: "For me, it's only a sport. It's only a game. It's only football. 

"It is our responsibility to protect not only the players but all the people involved in the game."