Official: Real Madrid make final call on facing Barcelona in Copa del Rey | OneFootball

La Liga giants Real Madrid have on Friday evening released a fresh statement, confirming their intention to fulfill the club’s duties in tomorrow’s Copa del Rey final.

This comes after reports spread that Los Blancos were taking into real consideration pulling out of their upcoming showdown with Barcelona.

Owing to the head-turning comments laid out by referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea and his team in their pre-match press conference on Friday morning, the Santiago Bernabéu board highlighted what they considered to be ‘animosity and hostility towards Real Madrid’.

So much so that Los Blancos made contact with the RFEF, to request an overhaul of the team of officials at La Cartuja.

It was in turn suggested that, in the case of Florentino Pérez and co. not getting their way, Real could simply refuse to play the Copa showpiece.

As confirmed by Los Merengues themselves late on Friday, however, this will under no circumstances be the case.

In a fresh statement released a short time ago, it was assured:

‘In light of the rumors that have emerged in recent hours, Real Madrid CF announces that our team has never considered withdrawing from tomorrow’s final.

‘Our club understands that the unfortunate and inappropriate statements made by the referees designated for this match, made 24 hours before the final, cannot taint a sporting event of global significance that will be watched by hundreds of millions of people, and out of respect for all the fans who are planning to travel to Seville, and all those who are already in the Andalusian capital.

‘Real Madrid believes that the values ​​of football must prevail, despite the hostility and animosity that have been manifested once again today against our club by the referees appointed for the final.’

Conor Laird – GSFN