Real Madrid experienced one of its most significant setbacks in recent years on Friday morning following the controversial press conference of Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea and Pablo González Fuertes, the referees assigned for Saturday's Copa del Rey final against Barcelona. De Burgos took a more emotional tone, while González Fuertes made statements that were perceived as threatening toward the club.

Josep Pedrerol provided further insight on El Chiringuito, revealing, "Someone very important at FIFA contacted Real Madrid and said, 'We don't understand how two referees come out to complain... we don't understand what happened in Spain.' That person at FIFA was baffled by the situation." Pedrerol also added that Miquel Iceta, president of the CSD, reached out to Real Madrid. According to the journalist, "It wasn’t so much the conversation between José Ángel Sánchez and Louzán that mattered, but the intervention of the CSD president, who told Madrid that things needed to be calmed down, and that the Government is working to clean up the world of refereeing."

Despite the uproar, Real Madrid officially denied any reports suggesting they would withdraw from the final, although, given the gravity of the referees' statements, such a decision could have been on the table. In any case, FIFA’s backing is seen as a key step toward initiating the much-needed reform of the Technical Referee Committee (CTA).

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