“Real Madrid Television is within its rights to broadcast these videos”
Real Madrid TV issued a public statement today on their channel defending its recent broadcasts criticizing refereeing standards in Spanish football, particularly ahead of this weekend’s Copa del Rey final. The club’s official channel made it clear that it is “within its rights” to air videos analyzing controversial refereeing decisions, pushing back against those who have labeled its content “shameful” and suggesting that others have conveniently ignored deeper issues surrounding officiating in Spain.
In its statement, Real Madrid TV pointed out that a judge — not the club itself — has confirmed the existence of systemic corruption in Spanish football, referencing developments in the ongoing Negreira case. “This isn’t said by Real Madrid Television; it’s said by a judge,” RMTV emphasized, framing its stance as part of a broader fight for transparency and fairness in the game. “This gives even more merit to the protest and the attempt to change things that Real Madrid is doing while others lag behind,” they added. “Others, who don’t even have a television channel, criticize referees as well, but apparently only Real Madrid is accused of ‘attacking football.’ Well, no, this is over.”
The club’s protest stems primarily from the appointment of referees De Burgos Bengoechea and González Fuertes for the Copa del Rey final, both of whom Real Madrid TV has previously accused of poor treatment towards the club. In response, Real Madrid took the unprecedented step of cancelling Friday’s training session at La Cartuja, skipping scheduled press conferences, and withdrawing from all official events leading up to the final.
“What we’re trying to do here is demand the utmost professionalism from the referees — those who officiate Real Madrid’s matches and those of the rest of the Spanish League teams,” RMTV explained. “We also want the criteria they apply to be uniform across the league. No more, no less.”
The channel concluded with a pointed criticism of the officiating team for the final, suggesting that impartiality should be expected but was far from guaranteed: “As far as possible, the referees should be impartial, although the two who will be officiating the Cup final made it very clear to us all in the press conference yesterday that they will not be.”
