The atmosphere surrounding the Copa del Rey final between Real Madrid and Barcelona has become increasingly tense, and not just because of the football itself. This Friday, the designated referee for the match, Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, and the official in charge of VAR, Pablo González Fuertes, held a press conference where they openly denounced the pressure and constant criticism referees face, particularly in high-profile matches like the Clásico.

The referees didn't hold back in expressing their frustration over the toxic climate fueled by media and club statements. González Fuertes warned that the situation is becoming unsustainable and that action will be taken: "There’s more unity than ever among referees, and we’ve already had meetings. We will not continue to allow what is happening. Soon, there will be news. We’re going to make history, because we’re not going to keep enduring this."

De Burgos Bengoetxea, visibly emotional, shared how this environment affects their personal lives: “When your son goes to school and they call his dad a thief, it hurts. I’m just trying to teach my child that his father is honest. We need to reflect on the direction we’re heading in.”

Is the Copa del Rey final between Real Madrid and Barcelona at risk? Here’s what we know

The situation took a sharp turn when Real Madrid chose not to attend the official pre-match press conference nor to hold their training session at La Cartuja stadium. They also skipped the formal dinner organized by the Spanish Football Federation, in a silent but evident protest.

Although there has been speculation on social media about a possible referee change or even a postponement of the final, so far no official body has confirmed such moves. The game remains scheduled to be played as planned this Saturday in Seville.

Amid this atmosphere, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick addressed the topic head-on: “If we don’t respect referees, we lack fair play.” The German manager admitted he had never experienced anything similar during his time in Germany, describing the current situation as "surreal".

“This is football, a game. We all have interests, but respect must come first,” Flick said, trying to shift the focus back to the sport. “There will be more than 26,000 fans from each side tomorrow. Let’s focus on the match and enjoy the moment.”

Despite the chaos, both teams are preparing to compete for the title. Still, all eyes will be on what happens not only on the pitch, but also around it. The tension couldn’t be higher.