Real Madrid denies rumors: will play Copa del Rey Final against Barcelona

Real Madrid CF issued an official statement this Friday to address the rumors circulating in recent hours, confirming that the club "has never considered withdrawing from the Copa del Rey Final" set to take place this Saturday against FC Barcelona at La Cartuja Stadium in Seville.

“In light of the rumors that have emerged in recent hours, Real Madrid CF announces that our team has never considered pulling out of tomorrow’s final,” the official club statement read.

Copa del Rey Final 2025: A global football spectacle

Real Madrid emphasized the significance of this major football event, which features the most-watched rivalry in world football: Real Madrid vs Barcelona, a new chapter in El Clásico. The club insisted that the recent comments made by the match officials, Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea and Pablo González Fuertes (VAR), “should not tarnish a global sporting event that will be watched by hundreds of millions of fans.”

“Out of respect for all the fans planning to travel to Seville, and those already in the Andalusian capital, this match must be played as expected,” added the club.

Real Madrid denounces referee hostility, but calls for football values to prevail

The Madrid club also expressed its discontent over what it views as unfair treatment from the officiating team:

“The values of football must prevail, despite the hostility and animosity that, once again, have been shown towards our club by the referees appointed for this final.”

With this statement, Real Madrid aims to move beyond the controversy and focus on its ultimate goal: competing and winning the 2025 Copa del Rey Final against Barcelona — a thrilling encounter that promises to captivate fans around the globe.

What would happen if Real Madrid refused to play the Copa del Rey Final against Barcelona?

Despite confirming their participation, Real Madrid has declined to attend the official pre-match events ahead of the Copa del Rey Final, which could have serious implications both short- and long-term.

According to Catalan outlet Sport, and Article 77 of the Regulations of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), if a team fails to show up for an official match or withdraws from a competition, it is automatically disqualified.

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

Furthermore, the regulations stipulate that Real Madrid would be banned from the next edition of the tournament and fined between $3,000 and $13,000, with the potential of also paying damages to third parties.