FIFA Reacts Strongly to Refereeing Scandal Ahead of Cup Final

One Day Before FC Barcelona and Real Madrid Compete to Play the Copa del Rey Final, the Referees Appointed for That Match Made Some Very Striking Statements. Given the Perceived Seriousness of Those Words, Real Madrid Issued Official Statements Highlighting the "Clear and Manifest Antipathy and Hostility of These Referees".

Those Claims by Madridists Won't Prevent Carlo Ancelotti's Players from Being on the Field at La Cartuja to Face Their Barcelona Counterparts Tonight. The Hours of This Scandal Have Been Filled with All Kinds of Information Like That Provided by Josep Pedrerol. Because Real Madrid Waited, for Some Hours, for the Intervention of the Spanish Higher Sports Council or FIFA's Involvement in This 'Case'.

Neither of Those Two Institutions Made a Public Move. "If the Federation Hasn't Reacted Appropriately to Real Madrid's Statement, Someone Has Said: 'Tomorrow Morning, Go Home'. It's Something That Fortunately Hasn't Been Carried Out", States the Host and Director of 'El Chiringuito de Jugones'.

In Addition to That Reaction Generated from Within Real Madrid, Always According to Josep Pedrerol, the Veteran Catalan Journalist Focuses on "Someone Important Within FIFA". That Personality from the International Federation "Has Spoken with Real Madrid and Told Them: 'We Don't Understand Why Two Referees Are Speaking Out. What Has Happened in Spain We Don't Understand'".

Shared Feelings

Pedrerol Insists: "FIFA Has Told Madrid" That "They Didn't Understand What the Referees Have Done by Speaking Out Against a Team Participating in the Final" of the Cup. This "Very Important Person" from FIFA, According to Josep Pedrerol, Shared the Surprise Felt in the Offices of Valdebebas by the Press Conference of Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea and Pablo González Fuertes.

In Addition to This Comment from FIFA, "Uribes Is the One Who Has Spoken with Real Madrid Because That Conversation Between José Ángel and Louzán Hasn't Had Much Relevance" After the Statement. According to Josep Pedrerol, the President of the CSD Would Have Asked Real Madrid to "Soften" the Situation Because "the Government Is Working to Improve and Also Clean Up the World of Refereeing" in Spain.

Josep Pedrerol Concludes That "It Has Been a Very Busy Afternoon with Serious Risks of the Match Not Being Played". The Non-Appearance of Carlo Ancelotti's Players, Despite What Was Indicated by Real Madrid's Second Official Statement, Would Have Been on the Table for Several Hours. "There Was a Serious Risk of the Match Not Being Played," Emphasizes the Veteran Catalan Journalist.

After This Brief Saga Due to the Statements of the Referees Appointed for the Final, Everything Is Resolved Thanks to the Intervention of the CSD and the Comment from FIFA on the Matter. From the International Federation, They Share Real Madrid's Surprise at the CTA's Decision and the Words of Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea and Pablo González Fuertes on the Eve.