Hansi Flick blasts Real Madrid over Copa del Rey referee saga | OneFootball

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has accused Real Madrid of lacking respect for the match officials and losing sight of true sport ahead of what could be a fraught Copa del Rey final.

Madrid have created an unnecessary storm ahead of the game at La Cartuja in Seville, starting when the club's official TV channel produced a video criticising appointed referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea and his record in matches involving Madrid, compared to those involving Barcelona.

A tearful Bengoetxea responded at a press conference, during which VAR official Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes had a much more aggressive warning about what referees are being forced to put up with.

Madrid then condemned those comments and called for the match officials to be replaced, although the club has denied ever considering boycotting the game altogether – despite cancelling a public training session, and not attending a pre-match press conference or photoshoot.

Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea will officiate the Copa del Rey final / Alex Caparros/GettyImages

"For me, it's just sport, it's just football," Flick said at his own press conference, taking the high ground and a position of common sense. "We have to protect everyone involved in the game. The fans, they all want to see the players, how they play. We need the referees, and we have to look after them and be careful. It's not fair play not to look after them, it's not showing them respect.

"We have to enjoy the final. We have a young team. It will be a great experience for a young group. There are no favorites in a final. We want to start well and fight for the title."

Madrid have caused a stir all season with their criticism of referees and indignation at perceived unfair treatment at the hands of officials and Spain's football authorities. The club was even rumoured in February to be considering quitting Spanish football and trying to play in another country, a suggestion which La Liga president Javier Tebas openly laughed off.

But while that has so far proven to be an empty threat, the club did petulantly boycott the 2024 Ballon d'Or ceremony when it became apparent a few hours beforehand that Vinicius Junior would not win the award ahead of justified rival contender Rodri.