Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, appointed to referee this weekend’s highly anticipated Copa del Rey final between Real Madrid and Barcelona, recently discussed the psychological impact of officiating a fanatical sport. Above all, he pointed to the significant pressure he’s under from Real Madrid TV in today’s football world. The final is due to take place in Seville, a huge occasion on Spanish football’s calendar. All of Basque country’s eyes will be on Bengoetxea, the first to step onto the pitch.
Both players have openly voiced their fears ahead of the match and we were touched by Bengoetxea’s sincerity. He shared about the level of focus he’s been under this season. This pressure was further exacerbated after a documentary aired on Real Madrid’s Real Madrid TV attacking him and other referees. The emotional weight of these attacks became evident as he welled up during discussions about the impact on his colleagues and himself.
Bengoetxea has previously officiated in high-stakes matches, including a La Liga match on May 21, 2023, between Valencia and Real Madrid, where he engaged in dialogue with Real Madrid’s head coach Carlo Ancelotti. The atmosphere around the final of the Copa del Rey might be surprising, given all the high temperatures. This move comes after Real Madrid’s incendiary open letter in February, which accused Spanish refereeing of being “rigged” and “totally discredited.”
Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes has been named VAR referee for the final. He cautioned that the situation could worsen if Real Madrid TV does not cease its offensive actions. “Have no doubt that we are going to have to start taking much more serious measures than we are taking,” he stated. The mounting stress on evaluators and referees has driven the issue to the forefront of serious conversations among the officiating community.
“It’s not right what we are going through, many colleagues, and not just in professional football, but at grassroots level,” he said. He called for a period of deep reflection, not just about the values of sport but of football itself. “Everyone should reflect about where we want to go, about what we want from sport and from football,” he added.
Even as Bengoetxea is tested at turn by potential bribers, a deep sense of ethics keeps him focused on maintaining an incorruptible spirit. “What I do is try to educate my son, to say that his father is honest, above all honest, who can make mistakes, like any sportsperson,” he remarked. He conveyed an aspiration that his son be proud of the legacy he created in officiating. I know that the day I leave the profession, my son will be proud of what his dad is and what refereeing is; it has taught us so many values.
As the Copa del Rey final approaches, the spotlight remains on Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea and his response to the pressures of officiating at such a significant event. Bengoetxea and Fuertes are clearly up for the challenge of turning around Real Madrid TV’s problems. They understand the need for more and are ready to take on the fight for more head-on.
