There was a lot of excitement ahead of tonight's (22) Copa del Rey final between Real Madrid and Barcelona in Seville. At one point, information emerged that the "merenges" would not take to the field, but last night another statement came from the Spanish capital, stating that the Madrid team would still play.
Real Madrid stressed in a statement that they had never considered withdrawing from the final.
"Real Madrid announces that our team has never considered withdrawing from the final. Our club understands that the inappropriate and unfortunate statements made by the referees assigned to this match, made the day before the final, cannot disrupt an event of such great global importance that will be watched by millions of people around the world, and out of respect for the fans who will travel to Seville or are already there. Real Madrid believes that the values of football must prevail despite the hostility and animosity that has once again been manifested towards our club by the referees assigned to referee the final," the Madrid club said in a statement.
Real Madrid canceled training, a team dinner and a press conference last night, and asked the Federation to appoint other referees for tonight's match, which was not accepted.
Previously, Madrid had lashed out at referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoechea and Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes, who will be in the VAR room, on club television.
The referees then reacted at a press conference, which also brought tears to their eyes.
"Have no doubt that we will start taking much more serious measures than we are currently taking. We will not allow what is happening to continue. In the coming days you will hear news. We will write history, it will be the consequence of putting a target on the heads of the judges," Fuertes said at a press conference.
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