WHO: Real Madrid vs Barcelona
That: Spanish Copa del Rey
Where: Cartuja Stadium, Seville, Spain
When: Saturday at 10 pm local time (20:00 GMT)
Follow the live text of Al Jazeera Sport and the transmission of photographic comments.
Real Madrid boycotted the activities before the match before its end of the Copa del Rey against the rivals Barcelona after the referee of the party gave an emotional press conference in which he called Real for the criticism of the official in his internal television channel.
Real said that Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea’s complaints, which echoed the variety arbitrator for the final, against the club’s television channel pressure were “unacceptable.”
The Spanish champions boycotted the press conference, open training against the media, the traditional dinner of the presidents and a photographic photo prior to the party.
“These statements … made premeditated 24 hours before against one of the participants in the final, demonstrate, once again, a clear and manifest animosity of these towards Real Madrid,” said the Madrid club.
A source close to the Reuters news agency said that Real saw the press conference as “a clear conflict of interest” and, although they have not asked the Spanish FA (RFEF) to replace the officials, they believe that the referee team should be changed.
RFEF did not respond immediately to a request for comments.
The preparations for the final were thrown into chaos when the referee of the Burgos party gave a press conference in which he cried while responding to the RMTV video.
The video, released on Thursday, shows what RMTV says it is a series of errors made by the Burgos through their career.
The launch is the last of a series of RMTV editions, criticism of Spanish officials.
The Burgos expressed their turn of anguish at the press conference, declaring: “When a child arrives at school and his classmates tell him that his father is a thief, he gets sick.”
Then he emphasized his integrity and the challenges that many officials face, in professional football already base level.
Barcelona references protection
Barcelona’s manager Hansi Flick said Friday that the action should be tasks to protect the referees due to the pressure they face.
“For me, it’s just a sport. It’s just a game. It’s just football … It is our responsibility to protect not only players but all people in the game,” Flick told a press conference.
“It is not good that it happened today. Of course, sometimes in the field that are some decisions about emotion, but after the game, we should end that. Something must be done.”
In February, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) highlighted the Conerns of the referees about abuse, citing the case of the official José Munuera Montero, who faced a rear task after issuing a red card to Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid.
A few weeks before, Real had also filed a complaint letter against the Spanish referees after his defeat by 1-0 by Espanyol.
Barça told him to “enjoy” the final cup
Flick asked by his young side to “enjoy” real rivals in the final.
The Catalans hope to get a possible quadruple this season, with the Cup their next goal after winning the Spanish Super Cup in January against Real Madrid.
In the two classics this season, Barça triumphed 4-0 in LaLiga last October and then 5-2 in the final in Saudi Arabia, but Flick said HISIS is not necessarily favorites.
“We have to enjoy it, we have a very young team: this is a great experience, playing this final, against one of the best teams in the world,” said Flick.
“A final is different, it is not favorites.
“We want to start the game tomorrow, and we want to fight for this title.”
The whites has fought this season, the champions League for Arsenal was not removed in the quarterfinals, and are four points from Barça on the top of LaLiga.
The exciting side of Flick is directed by the dynamic extreme Lamine Yamal, only 17, and has several young players, including Pau Cubarsi, Gavi and Pedri.
“I am surprised how incredible his mentality is,” said Barcelona’s captain Ronald Ajo.
“It’s as if we weren’t playing a final tomorrow, they are so quiet … these children from Masia [FC Barcelona’s youth academy]I was very surprised.
“Not only Cubarsi, Lamine, Fermin [Lopez]also [Hector] Fort, all … are incredible. The Masia boys are incredible, they are not afraid. “