Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has lashed out against Real Madrid’s ongoing public campaign targeting match officials, calling their actions disrespectful and harmful in the buildup to the Copa del Rey final.
Real Madrid’s latest media-driven criticism of Spanish referees escalated this week, putting intense pressure on the officiating team assigned to the final in Seville.
The backlash reportedly affected both referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea and VAR official Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes so deeply that one was reduced to tears before the match.
The two officials held an unusual press conference prior to the final, during which Gonzalez Fuertes addressed the personal toll of the hostility. Content aired by Real Madrid TV, which frequently spotlights refereeing errors ahead of the club’s matches, has reportedly led to the bullying of both officials’ children.
Real Madrid attempted to have the refereeing team changed, but that request was denied by the Spanish Football Federation.
Flick was asked about the situation during his pre-match media duties and said: “What should I say now…? For me, it is only sport, only a game, it’s only football.
🎙️ HANSI FLICK: “Lamine Yamal is an unbelievable player. Also for his age. Just 17.” #ElClásico #CopaBarça pic.twitter.com/ghffWPmmbA
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“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.
“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.”
Although critical of the recent developments, Flick acknowledged in a separate comment that Real Madrid remains a top-level team and institution. His remarks appeared more as a call to action for the broader football community than a direct attack.
Barcelona defender and vice-captain Ronald Araujo also weighed in during the team’s media availability. When asked about the controversy, he added: “They told me you might ask about the referees.
“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.”
