Tensions surrounding the Copa del Rey final crossed a tipping point as the controversy surrounding refereeing appointments threatened to overshadow the highly anticipated fixture between Spain’s two biggest clubs, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
As the Copa del Rey Final has become embroiled in controversy, Real Madrid and the Spanish Football Federation remain at an uneasy impasse
Real Madrid made an unprecedented protest, including canceling media duties, training sessions, and refusing to carry out official obligations, according to COPE.
Madrid displayed its deep discontent with the appointed officiating crew.
They were particularly concerned about the statements made by the referee appointed and the VAR official in which they thought affected their impartiality ahead of the deciding encounter.
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) did not budge and did not change the officiating crew despite the protests by Madrid.
This inflexibility set the stage for a combustible environment, with every decision going to be scrutinized on the pitch.
Barcelona, on the other hand, were passive on the situation, possibly feeling they had a psychological edge by having recently beaten Madrid on both occasions.
The battle for the Copa del Rey risked derailing into an off-field saga when, in principle, it should’ve been a riveting, sporting spectacle.
In a statement, Real Madrid indicated that they had no desire to boycott the final while making it clear that they regard certain hostility and malice from the referees.
They then discussed the importance of the match in the global context and for the travelling fans in Seville before they asked for the match to be played with integrity.
Madrid’s clear disagreements about the officiating clearly show that there are still tensions that go beyond the boundary of the match.
Even if you have obliterated your pride, your history, and your institutional relations, then the final result should become of much greater importance than simply a trophy.
It boils down to a much larger issue that could help or hinder an already fragile relationship between the powers of Spanish football and their officiating bodies.
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