VAR referee threatens Real Madrid before El Clasico: “You’ll see soon…”

The Copa del Rey final between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid this Saturday in Seville is already steeped in controversy, even before the first whistle. González Fuertes, the referee assigned to VAR duties for the highly anticipated match, has made some pointed statements directed at Real Madrid, further escalating the already tense atmosphere surrounding Spanish refereeing.

For the third time this season, these two footballing giants will clash, and as is customary, the stakes are incredibly high. These encounters are typically characterized by intense competition and numerous contentious situations that place immense pressure on the match officials.

The backdrop to this final is the ongoing controversy surrounding Spanish referees, which has been a major talking point in recent months. In response to this heightened tension, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) took the unusual step of inviting both Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea and González Fuertes to address the media in the lead-up to the grand finale.

During this pre-match press conference, González Fuertes, the VAR referee, expressed his deep dissatisfaction with the pressure his colleagues are facing. While he refrained from explicitly naming Real Madrid, it’s widely understood that the club has been particularly vocal in its criticism of refereeing performances.

González Fuertes’ statements were far from conciliatory. “There is a unity like never before among the referees, undoubtedly because of what is happening around us,” he began, hinting at a collective frustration within the refereeing community.

He then went on to issue what could be interpreted as a veiled threat. “We are going to start taking action, we are not going to continue to allow what is happening. You’ll see soon. We are going to make history, we can no longer endure what we are enduring.”

These strong words from González Fuertes have raised eyebrows and sparked considerable debate. The reference to “taking action” and “making history” has led to speculation about what form this response might take.

When pressed on the possibility of a strike, González Fuertes remained cryptic but suggestive. “You will have news soon,” he stated, leaving the gathered media and the footballing world to speculate about the potential for unprecedented measures.

Adding another layer of intrigue to this situation, former international Spanish referee Eduardo Iturralde has suggested that González Fuertes is likely officiating in his final matches as a referee. This revelation raises questions about whether this impending retirement is influencing his outspokenness.

Meanwhile, Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea, the central referee for the Copa del Rey final, adopted a more measured tone during the press conference. He acknowledged the challenges and pressures that referees face, describing the past two years as “quite complicated.”

De Burgos emphasized the scrutiny and doubt surrounding their performance levels. “Our level is questioned. We make mistakes, but I believe that the current level of referees in Spain is by no means bad. We can improve, but the players should be satisfied because there isn’t that much difference from one referee to another,” he stated.

However, De Burgos also became emotional when addressing a specific controversy: the repeated airing of a six-minute video by Real Madrid Television, which highlighted his past refereeing errors.

Visibly moved, De Burgos spoke about the personal toll this criticism takes. “When a child arrives at school and other children say that his father is a thief, it’s upsetting. I try to educate my son to tell him that his father is honest, that he is a sportsman like others. When I stop refereeing, I want my son to be proud of his father. What we are experiencing is not fair, and not only for the professionals that we are. Many families also suffer from this, especially in amateur football. Everyone should reflect on this,” he concluded, his voice filled with emotion.

González Fuertes returned to the microphone to address the impact of the videos broadcast by Real Madrid TV. “We must be aware of the consequences of these videos,” he asserted.

He further elaborated on the dangers of such targeted criticism. “We have seen anonymous people on social media insulting and threatening without any control. We see people in professional football implying that we are dishonest. When a journalist talks about ‘theft,’ fans take out their frustration on the boy or girl who is going to referee a match between children. We must remedy these situations and return to a healthier, cleaner football. It is for the good of all,” González Fuertes concluded.

The stage is now set for the Copa del Rey final, but the focus extends beyond the pitch. The refereeing controversy has added a significant layer of tension and uncertainty to the match.

The footballing world watches with bated breath, hoping that El Clasico can proceed under optimal conditions, free from further controversy and with fair and impartial officiating. It remains to be seen whether the concerns raised by the referees will lead to any concrete changes in how they are treated and perceived.

Adding to the complexity of the situation, it’s worth noting that Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has shown no indication of easing the pressure on referees. His stance suggests that the ongoing dispute is unlikely to be resolved quickly.