Hansi Flick Blasts Real Madrid Over Copa del Rey Referee Saga

Tensions are never far from the surface when Real Madrid and Barcelona collide, but even by the intense standards of Spanish football, the build-up to this year’s Copa del Rey final has been pure chaos.

Now, Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has stepped into the storm, openly criticising Madrid’s recent behaviour and urging everyone to remember the true spirit of the game.

Real Madrid’s Pre-Match Meltdown: Criticism, Tears, and Controversy

It all started earlier in the week when Real Madrid’s official television channel released a scathing video dissecting the history of referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea. The footage compared his decisions in Madrid’s games versus those involving Barcelona, painting a picture of alleged bias that Madrid fans were all too happy to accept as gospel.

The effect of the video was immediate and emotional. Bengoetxea, assigned to referee the final, appeared at a press conference visibly shaken — and eventually broke down in tears under the intense spotlight and accusations.

But it didn’t end there. Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes, the VAR official for the final, issued a sharp and threatening response, warning that referees had “had enough” and hinting at forthcoming measures that could shake Spanish football to its core.

In a move that only deepened the crisis, Real Madrid publicly condemned the comments from the officials and called for the match referees to be replaced. They further fuelled boycott rumours by cancelling their public training session, skipping their scheduled press conference, and refusing to take part in the official pre-match photoshoot.

Yet, despite the drama, Madrid eventually confirmed they would not boycott the final — although by that point, the damage to the mood surrounding the match had already been done.

Hansi Flick Takes the High Road: “We Must Protect the Game”

Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea will officiate the Copa del Rey final / Alex Caparros/GettyImages

As tensions simmered, it was left to Barcelona’s Hansi Flick to inject a rare moment of calm and perspective into the volatile situation.

Speaking at his own pre-match press conference, Hansi Flick didn’t hold back in criticising Real Madrid’s actions, accusing the club of showing a fundamental lack of respect towards the referees and the spirit of football itself.

“For me, it’s just sport, it’s just football,” Hansi Flick said, his tone measured but firm. “We have to protect everyone involved in the game. The fans, they all want to see the players, how they play. We need the referees, and we have to look after them and be careful. It’s not fair play not to look after them, it’s not showing them respect.”

Flick’s message was simple: football only thrives when all its participants are respected. And that includes the officials, who — despite their mistakes — remain an essential part of the game.

“We have to enjoy the final. We have a young team. It will be a great experience for a young group. There are no favourites in a final. We want to start well and fight for the title,” Hansi Flick added, shifting the focus back to what should really matter: the football itself.

Real Madrid’s Season of Discontent

This latest referee storm is far from an isolated incident for Real Madrid this season. In fact, their relationship with Spain’s football authorities has grown increasingly toxic over recent months.

Throughout the La Liga campaign, Madrid have repeatedly voiced their anger at perceived injustices — publicly questioning referees’ decisions and, on several occasions, suggesting systemic bias against them.

Earlier this year, the situation reached a surreal peak when Madrid were rumoured to be considering leaving Spanish football altogether to join another league — perhaps even the Premier League or Serie A. La Liga president Javier Tebas quickly laughed off those rumours, but the fact that such a notion even surfaced shows just how strained relations have become.

And Madrid’s apparent disdain hasn’t been confined to domestic competitions. They also famously boycotted the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony after learning that Vinicius Junior would not win the award, choosing to snub the event entirely rather than celebrate the achievements of their players or rivals.

Flick’s Criticism Hits at the Heart of the Matter

By calling out Madrid’s recent behaviour, Hansi Flick isn’t just defending the referees — he’s defending the very fabric of football itself.

In a world where clubs increasingly leverage their financial power and media platforms to sway public opinion and put pressure on governing bodies, Hansi Flick’s plea for respect and fair play feels refreshingly old-school. It’s a reminder that football isn’t just about winning; it’s about how you conduct yourself in the pursuit of victory.

Madrid, of course, would argue they are simply standing up for themselves against perceived injustice. But there’s a fine line between demanding fairness and undermining the credibility of the competition itself — and many believe Madrid have crossed it.

A Final Overshadowed?

Saturday’s Copa del Rey final should be a celebration — a chance for two of the world’s most iconic clubs to battle for silverware in front of a global audience. Instead, much of the attention in the build-up has been dominated by off-pitch drama.

Will the referees feel intimidated? Will the tension spill onto the pitch? Will Madrid’s players carry a sense of grievance into the game, and could it affect their performance?

These are the questions nobody wanted to be asking before a final of this magnitude. But thanks to the week’s events, they’re impossible to ignore.

Final Thoughts: Hansi Flick’s Calm Amid the Chaos

In many ways, Hansi Flick’s approach this week has epitomised what Barcelona hope will define their performance on the pitch: composure, respect, and a clear focus on the football.

“We have a young team,” Hansi Flick repeated several times. “We want to enjoy this experience.”

It’s a sentiment that feels almost quaint in the current climate of football, where controversy often drowns out the sport itself. But perhaps, if Barcelona can channel Hansi Flick’s calmness, and if Madrid can set aside their anger, the final can yet be remembered for the right reasons.

After all, this is a rivalry rich with history, passion, and brilliance. And whatever has been said off the field, the world will be watching what happens on it.