Real Madrid’s official channel, RMTV, has released a video of referee Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea ahead of their Copa del Rey final match against Barcelona on Saturday, April 26.
One of the most seasoned referees in Spanish football, the 39-year-old has officiated El Clasico numerous times. However, Los Blancos have posted a three-and-a-half-minute compilation of the official, underlining their perceived injustices, demonstrating their clear scepticism about his selection.
The Copa del Rey Final Referee video was shared by RMTV.
Think he lacks experience and prefers Barcelona
The Spanish powerhouses have previously used RMTV to distribute movies analysing referees on the eve of important games. Marca claims that they do this to draw attention to any claimed “mistakes” made by the official in previous Los Blancos games. Additionally, the video highlights his inexperience outside of La Liga:
“Real Madrid’s win percentage is just 64% when the Basque referee is used. Barcelona, however, boasts an 81% win rate. The fact that Ancelotti’s team has only won two of the previous five games with him on the field adds to the amazing difference. The most startling aspect, however, is that despite Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea’s appointment as an international referee since 2018, UEFA has never used him to officiate a Champions League game.
“He has also not been relied upon by FIFA for any of its tournaments. However, following the 2017 and 2023 Super Cups, this will already be his third final between Real Madrid and Barcelona in Spain. He continues to referee games of this magnitude despite not having the same recognition in Spain as he does on the international front.
Online followers, however, think it’s just a kind of intimidation. One person reacted on social media after the video was posted, saying, “Blaming the ref before the game is outrageous work.” In response, someone else said: “It’s not criticising the referee. He is being influenced by it. It ought to be prohibited.
“It’s really crazy how they’re allowed to get away with this,” remarked a third enthusiast. I’m not aware of any other team in the world that continuously tries to use the media to intimidate and sway referees the way Madrid does. How come FIFA and UEFA haven’t taken action yet?
Real Madrid’s Paranoia With La Liga Referees
Los Blancos feel officials are biased against them
Such actions merely served to strengthen the perception that Real Madrid believes the officials in Spanish football are working against them. The team launched an unprecedented attack on La Liga referees earlier in 2025, stating in a letter that officials, especially video assistant referees (VAR), are “completely discredited,” “rigged,” and biassed against them.
In response to these accusations, League president Javier Tebas said: “They have constructed a victim narrative, and I believe the icing on the cake was the letter they released the other day.
“They have lost their minds because the problem has been exaggerated to an absurd degree. Real Madrid isn’t the centre of football.
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