The referee for Saturday's Copa del Rey final, Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, broke down in tears as he revealed the immense pressure Real Madrid's TV channel has placed on officials this season. De Burgos Bengoetxea will take charge of the Clasico final between Real Madrid and Barcelona in Seville, but he is the latest in a line of referees to face public scrutiny from Real Madrid TV.

A recent video from Real Madrid TV highlighted several points about De Burgos Bengoetxea's career, including the win percentages of Barcelona and Real Madrid in games he has officiated, his lack of experience in Champions League or FIFA tournaments, and supposed mistakes he has made. This follows a formal complaint by Real Madrid to the Spanish FA (RFEF) and Spain's High Council for Sports in February, accusing Spanish refereeing of being "rigged" and "completely discredited."

An emotional De Burgos Bengoetxea addressed the media, saying, "When a child of yours goes to school and there are kids telling him that his father is a 'thief' and comes home crying, it's totally messed up. What I do is try to educate my son, to say that his father is honest, above all honest, who can make mistakes, like any sportsperson."

He continued, "It's not right what we are going through, many colleagues, and not just in professional football, but also at grassroots level. Everyone should reflect about where we want to go, about what we want from sport and from football."

De Burgos Bengoetxea, who also officiates in UEFA club and international competitions, has previously taken charge of Clasico encounters. Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes, the VAR official for the final, warned that officials might take action against Real Madrid TV's broadcasts. "Have no doubt that we are going to have to start taking much more serious measures than we are taking," he said. "We will not continue to allow what is happening. Soon, you will hear from us. We are going to make history, because we are not going to continue to bear what we are putting up with."

This controversy follows a series of events earlier this year, including a formal complaint by Real Madrid after a 1-0 loss to Espanyol, and the RFEF condemning the "repulsive" abuse suffered by referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero after he sent off Jude Bellingham against Osasuna.