Copa del Rey referee denounces Real Madrid video discrediting him before final
BARCELONA Spain AP The referee for the Copa del Rey final got emotional on Friday when he described the verbal abuse his child suffers because of criticism his profession receives from soccer s top clubs in his situation led by Real Madrid Ricardo de Burgos Bengoechea expressed his anguish to reporters after Madrid s club-owned television station aired a video supposedly documenting his bias against the club To see your son come from school crying because various kids have commented his dad is a crook is very hard to take De Burgos mentioned as he choked up What I do is tell my son that his father is honorable I make mistakes like any athlete but I am honorable he reported I want my son to be proud of his father and of the refereeing profession Nobody has the right to submit my colleagues to what they are dealing with The Real Madrid TV video claimed that Madrid won of its games refereed by De Burgos compared to won by Barcelona under his watch An unnamed voice called it an incredible difference while also questioning his talent and showing images of his alleged errors The video was accompanied by dramatic music It failed to say who the opponents were in those matches or if they were played home or away A great number of neutral observers see this as Madrid attempting to pressure referees before games Madrid faces Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday in Seville Bashing referees The club s TV has made it a regular practice to air videos discrediting referees Its part of a hostile publicity campaign the club has launched this season against soccer s rule keepers In February the club sent a letter to the Spanish Football Federation claiming that the record -time league champion was being routinely harmed by refereeing decisions It explained decisions against Real Madrid have reached a point that the adulteration and manipulation of the competition cannot be ignored Another referee who red-carded Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham for cursing at him was disclosed by specific Spanish media outlets of having business sessions that meant a conflict of interest with refereeing The federation looked into the matter before clearing him of any suspicions Not taking it anymore De Burgos spoke along with video assistant referee Pablo Gonz lez Fuertes at the now customary pre-Copa del Rey press conference for the referee crew a rare moment for referees to be questioned by the press Gonz lez Fuertes supported his fellow referee and launched a warning that Spain s referees were going to take unspecified actions to curtail attacks on their honor Do not have the least doubt that we are going to have to start taking more serious measures Gonz lez Fuertes stated without giving details He added that he was worried that the verbal hate referees receive from players and as well on social media could have real-world consequences One day we will have a real dilemma and we will all hold our heads and condemn what happened but who will be held responsible for the situation AP soccer https apnews com hub soccer Source
