Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has accused Real Madrid of playing dirty with their treatment of officials ahead of the Copa del Rey final. Los Blancos continued their campaign against Spanish referees this week, leading to the referee in charge of the game in Seville to break down in tears ahead of the game.
Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea and Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes, the VAR for the final, gave a press conference before the final, and Gonzalez Fuertes noted that the content on Real Madrid TV, which regularly puts together smear pieces on officials ahead of Real Madrid games, had real life consequences. He and de Burgos Bengoetxea both noted their kids had been bullied as a result. Los Blancos then requested that the officials were changed, which was rejected by the RFEF.
Unsurprisingly, it was brought up to Hansi Flick, who had the following to say to the press.
“What should I say now…? For me, it is only sport, only a game, it’s only football. It’s our responsibility to protect the players, to protect everyone around the game. It’s not nice. Of course, maybe on the pitch, there is emotion, but after the match, it must be done,” he told the media.
Ronald Araújo: “The team is very good, in good dynamics. We are aware of what we are capable of achieving, the coach tells us that we have to go game by game. It’s the mentality that has brought us here.”
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) April 25, 2025
“The fans, everyone wants to see the players. Of course, we need the referees, but we have to take care of it. It’s not fair play, and not respectful. All the clubs, the coaches, but also the players. This is what we have to do.”
He did mention that Real Madrid were a great club and great team in another answer, and directed his advice to everyone in the game. Prior to Flick speaking to the media, Barcelona vice-captain Ronald Araujo also spoke to the press before the game, and was asked about it.
“They told me you might ask about the referees,” he laughed. “The truth is, I haven’t seen the images. Being a referee is a very difficult profession. We have to respect and understand what they do, and I can’t give any further comment.”
