Former Referee Eduardo Iturralde Unleashes Scathing Criticism Over Referees Appointed for El Clásico Copa del Rey Final

The looming specter of El Clásico, the fiercely contested rivalry between Spanish giants Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, has been further intensified by a pre-match controversy surrounding the selection of match officials for the upcoming Copa del Rey final. Eduardo Iturralde González, a former Spanish referee with a wealth of experience in officiating high-stakes encounters, has publicly voiced his profound disillusionment and skepticism regarding the choices made by the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) for this crucial showdown.

Just days before the highly anticipated clash that will determine the Copa del Rey champion, Iturralde did not mince his words during a recent appearance on the renowned radio program “El Larguero.” His scathing criticism was particularly directed at the decision to appoint César Soto Grado as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) manager for the final. This outspoken condemnation from a respected former official has sent shockwaves through the Spanish footballing landscape, casting a shadow over the integrity of the refereeing appointments and further fueling the recurring debates surrounding the standard of officiating in Spanish football.

For this high-octane encounter, the CTA has designated Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea as the primary referee on the pitch, while Soto Grado will oversee the proceedings from the VAR control room. While these appointments might appear routine on the surface, they have ignited a firestorm of discussion and debate within the footballing community. Iturralde, in his no-holds-barred analysis, suggested that the selection of Soto Grado for such a pivotal role was far from a coincidental decision.

According to Iturralde’s explosive claims, the rationale behind appointing Soto Grado as the VAR manager for this particular final is deeply concerning. He insinuated that the CTA may have deliberately chosen an official with limited years remaining in his refereeing career to mitigate the potential fallout from any significant officiating errors or scandals that might occur during the match. “They chose him because in case of a very big scandal, if it were a referee who still had 7 or 8 years of career left, they would have ruined him. There, he only has 3 matches left…” Iturralde stated, his words laden with cynicism and a palpable lack of faith in the selection process.

These damning words from a former referee of Iturralde’s stature reflect a growing discontent within the Spanish footballing fraternity regarding the quality and impartiality of the appointed officials for such high-profile matches. While De Burgos Bengoetxea, the on-field referee, is generally regarded as being in good form and known for his fluid and less intrusive officiating style, Soto Grado’s appointment in the crucial VAR role has been met with considerable apprehension and criticism. “He is not one of my favorites among the referees,” Iturralde added, before acknowledging that while Soto Grado had shown some positive performances in the previous year, his involvement in this El Clásico final is a significant source of unease.

Iturralde’s outspoken stance has swiftly ignited a firestorm across social media platforms, once again highlighting the deep-seated tensions and lack of confidence surrounding the CTA and the overall standard of refereeing in Spanish football. For many observers, these recurring controversies are symptomatic of a lack of rigor, transparency, and professionalism within the Spanish officiating system. According to Iturralde, these repeated errors, which he unequivocally labels as “gross,” not only detract from the quality of the matches themselves but also significantly undermine the prestige and credibility of the entire competition.

In the face of this burgeoning media storm and the escalating scrutiny of the refereeing appointments, Real Madrid, a club well-accustomed to the controversies that often accompany El Clásico encounters, has expressed its hope that the decisions of the appointed officials will remain as neutral and unbiased as humanly possible. Conscious of their lack of influence over the refereeing designations, the Merengue club has opted to focus its energies squarely on the match itself, aiming to avoid any external factors that could potentially taint the outcome of this highly anticipated showdown. “We simply want the referees to be impartial and to understand the context of such an important match,” a club representative reportedly stated, reflecting a desire for a fair and transparent officiating performance.

However, the memories of past controversies involving both De Burgos Bengoetxea and Soto Grado remain vivid in the minds of the Real Madrid players and their passionate supporters. Despite this lingering apprehension, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has adopted a philosophical approach, asserting that the most effective response to any potential officiating concerns will be delivered on the pitch through his team’s performance. With Barcelona facing notable absences and a potential tactical system change, the Madridistas are determined to let their footballing prowess shine through.

The ongoing saga surrounding refereeing in Spain has reached a critical juncture. For months, the decisions made by the men in black have been the subject of intense debate and controversy, casting a shadow over the integrity of the national game. In the wake of numerous scandals and questionable calls, the necessity for a profound and comprehensive reform of the Spanish refereeing system has become increasingly imperative, a sentiment reportedly shared by Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez. After years marred by recurring and often inexplicable errors, it is becoming abundantly clear that a significant overhaul is essential to restore the tarnished image of La Liga and Spanish football competitions as a whole. Reports suggest that changes within the CTA are currently under consideration, although the final decisions and their implementation remain shrouded in uncertainty.

The Spanish refereeing establishment finds itself at a critical crossroads. To regain credibility and prestige, decisive and potentially drastic measures may be required. Should the performance of the duo of De Burgos Bengoetxea and Soto Grado in Saturday’s El Clásico final prove to be yet another catastrophic chapter in the ongoing refereeing saga, the pressure on the CTA to enact meaningful change will undoubtedly intensify exponentially. The eyes of the footballing world will be watching, scrutinizing every decision made by the appointed officials in this high-stakes encounter, with the hope that the focus will ultimately remain on the beautiful game itself, rather than the controversies surrounding its officiating.