Today's Edition
SEVILLE, Spain (Reuters)
Real Madrid boycotted pre-match activities ahead of their Copa del Rey final against rivals Barcelona after the match referee gave an emotional press conference in which he called out Real for criticising the official on their in-house TV channel.
A club source told Reuters that the decision was taken due to Real's "unprecedented astonishment" at the press conference given by referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea earlier on Friday, who broke down in tears while responding to a critical video published by RMTV.
The source said Real saw the press conference as "a clear conflict of interest" and, while they have not asked the Spanish FA (RFEF) to replace the officials, they believe the refereeing team should be changed.
The RFEF did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Preparations for the final were thrown into chaos when match referee De Burgos gave a press conference in which he cried as he responded to the RMTV video.
The video, released on Thursday, shows what RMTV says is a series of errors made by De Burgos throughout his career.
The release is the latest in a string of edits by RMTV, criticising Spanish officials.
De Burgos expressed his distress during the press conference, stating: "When a child arrives at school and his mates tell him that his father is a thief, it makes you sick."
He went on to emphasise his integrity and the challenges faced by many officials, in professional football and at the grassroots level.
