Real Madrid have moved to address the growing chaos surrounding tonight's Copa del Rey final against Barcelona.
The Bernabeu outfit published a strongly-worded statement on Friday evening insisting that they never considered withdrawing from the match, despite a breakdown in relations with the officiating team.
Their statement read: 'In light of the rumours that have arisen in the last few hours, Real Madrid CF 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 and also out of respect also 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 once again been shown against our club, by the referees appointed for the final.'
The controversy erupted after Real Madrid TV, the club's in-house television channel, aired a highly critical video on Thursday targeting referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea.
The segment claimed that Real Madrid had won 64 per cent of their matches officiated by De Burgos, compared to an 81 per cent win rate for Barcelona under his watch. A narrator described the difference as 'incredible', while De Burgos's competence was questioned and images of alleged mistakes made throughout his career were shown on screen.
Following the release of the video, De Burgos gave an emotional press conference on Friday in which he broke down in tears while defending his integrity.
'When a child arrives at school and his mates tell him that his father is a thief, it makes you sick,' he said.
'I try to educate my son, to tell him his father is an honest man who makes mistakes like any other sportsman. It is very hard. I don't recommend it to anyone.'
Seated alongside De Burgos was Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes, the appointed VAR official for the final, who warned that referees were preparing to take action over what he described as intolerable levels of pressure.
'In a few days you will all see. We are going to make history and we are not going to continue to put up with what we are putting up with,' he said, hinting at a possible referees' strike.
Real Madrid swiftly pulled out of their scheduled pre-match media duties and cancelled their official training session in response to the press conference. However, the club later confirmed they would still fulfil the fixture.
Earlier on Friday, Real had already released an initial statement defending the video aired by RMTV as being 'protected by freedom of expression' and accusing the refereeing team of showing 'clear and manifest animosity and hostility' towards them. They urged the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and the Refereeing Committee to 'act accordingly' to safeguard the credibility of the match.
Although Real did not formally demand that De Burgos and his officiating team be replaced, a club source told Reuters the press conference was viewed as a 'clear conflict of interest' that had left the club in a state of 'unprecedented astonishment'.
RFEF president Rafael Louzan appealed for 'calm, responsibility and common sense' but refused to comment further on whether any officiating changes would be made.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick also called for greater protection for match officials amid the mounting tensions.
'It is our responsibility to protect not only the players but all the people involved in the game,' Flick said.
teeekaaay
20
it wasn't jus a statement...it's a quote....