The controversy has erupted after Real Madrid decided to cancel all pre-match events ahead of the Copa del Rey Final, bringing back memories of the last time a match in this competition was thrown into question — and once again, Barcelona was at the center of it all...

Real Madrid’s decision came shortly after comments made in the same press room by the referees assigned to the final, Ricardo de Burgos Bengoechea (main) and Pablo González Fuertes (VAR), who openly criticized the pressure referees are under in Spanish football.

The day Barcelona refused to play a Copa del Rey semifinal against Atlético de Madrid

📅 April 24, 2000: FC Barcelona hosted Atlético de Madrid at the Camp Nou for the second leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal, having lost the first leg 3–0 at the Vicente Calderón. Atlético had a comfortable lead, but the match became one of the most controversial episodes in Spanish football history.

Barcelona without stars and only 10 players available

Barça requested a postponement as several key players — like Rivaldo, Figo, Litmanen, and Kluivert — were either injured or away on international duty due to a scheduled FIFA international break. With only 10 outfield players available, the club asked the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to reschedule the match.

Villar said no, and Barça responded with a historic protest

The RFEF, led at the time by Ángel María Villar, denied the request. In response, Barcelona president José Luis Núñez opted not to play. Still, Louis Van Gaal’s team, captained by Pep Guardiola, took to the pitch in a symbolic act that has since become legendary.

The surreal scene at Camp Nou

All 11 Barça players — including two goalkeepers — lined up on the sideline without any intention of playing. Guardiola approached Atlético captain Santi Denia and the referee to inform them that Barcelona would not be participating in the match.

Barcelona’s official statement following the protest

After the incident, the club released a powerful statement:

"FC Barcelona cannot allow its players to participate in the match, as it considers the call-up to be null and void; it violates the club’s sporting, social, and financial rights; and finally, because it cannot support a federative decision that undermines, devalues, and discredits an official competition..."

The club also stated that playing under those conditions would be a disrespect to the opponent, fans, members, sponsors, and even the King.

What happens if Real Madrid refuses to play the Copa del Rey Final against Barcelona?

According to Catalan outlet Sport and Article 77 of the RFEF Regulations, if a team fails to appear for an official match or withdraws from the competition, it is automatically disqualified.

In the case of a final, the match would be awarded to the team eliminated by the forfeiting side in the semifinals — in this case, Real Sociedad.

Additionally, Real Madrid would not be allowed to participate in the next edition of the Copa del Rey, and would be required to pay a fine ranging between $3,000 and $13,000.

A potential compensation for third-party damages could also be imposed.