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Real Madrid hit back at Copa del Rey final boycott rumours over referee controversy

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Real Madrid have firmly denied claims that they considered boycotting Saturday’s Copa del Rey final against Barcelona following controversial remarks made by the match officials ahead of the game.

The situation escalated on Friday when referees Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea and Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes openly criticized Madrid’s official television channel, accusing it of putting undue pressure on Spanish match officials.

During an emotional press conference, De Burgos Bengoetxea, holding back tears, revealed how media scrutiny had impacted his personal life, particularly how his son was being bullied at school over accusations that his father is a “thief.”

He defended his integrity, stressing that referees, like all sports professionals, are human and prone to mistakes, but ultimately act with honesty.

The referee further urged the football community to reflect on the direction the sport is heading, not just at the professional level, but also in grassroots football. His colleague, Fuertes, echoed those sentiments and hinted at more drastic actions to come, vowing that referees will no longer tolerate the treatment they’ve been receiving. He warned that serious measures are being prepared, aiming to make a historic stand against what officials believe is growing disrespect.

In response, Real Madrid reacted strongly by cancelling their scheduled open training session and pre-match media duties. Club president Florentino Perez also skipped the traditional pre-final dinner hosted by the Spanish Football Federation. Madrid issued a strongly worded statement condemning the referees’ comments as unacceptable, particularly for being made less than 24 hours before such a high-profile match. The club claimed the remarks were hostile and showed a clear bias against Real Madrid, especially as they were aimed at a media outlet operating within the bounds of free speech. They also expressed concern that the threatening tone of the referees’ statements compromised the principles of fairness and impartiality that should define officiating in such a major event.

Madrid called on the Spanish Football Federation and its refereeing committee to take urgent action to safeguard the credibility of the sport and the institutions involved.

As rumors spread that the club might be considering a dramatic withdrawal from the final, Madrid released a second statement to clarify their position.

They insisted that, despite their deep dissatisfaction, they had no intention of pulling out of the match and emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of a globally watched event.

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick also weighed in on the issue, urging all parties to remember that football is, at its core, just a game.

He called for more respect and protection for everyone involved in the sport, stating that while emotions are natural during matches, cooler heads must prevail afterward.

Flick’s comments underscored the broader need for a more respectful football environment, especially ahead of a final that will be under the global spotlight.

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‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer

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‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer

Andre Onana could remain in Turkey beyond his loan spell, with Trabzonspor keen to secure him on a permanent deal.

The 30-year-old moved to Trabzonspor after falling out of favour at Manchester United, who brought in Senne Lammens last summer. Since then, Lammens has established himself as the club’s first-choice keeper, paving the way for Onana’s temporary switch.

In Turkey, however, Onana has rediscovered his form and quickly become a key figure. He recently grabbed attention with a standout performance in the Turkish Cup, saving three consecutive penalties to help his side overcome Samsunspor and reach the semi-finals.

The moment sparked widespread reactions online, especially from United supporters recalling their earlier penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby Town, where Onana managed just one save.

Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan has openly expressed the club’s desire to keep the goalkeeper. He indicated that while Onana has his own career plans, the club would be eager to make the move permanent if the circumstances align, leaving the final decision in the player’s hands.

Back in England, United are expected to consider selling Onana, particularly with Lammens now firmly established as their number one. The club will likely aim to recover a significant portion of the £47.5 million they paid to sign him from Inter Milan in 2023, with two years still remaining on his contract.

Beyond his cup heroics, Onana has been a consistent presence in the league, starting every match for Trabzonspor and playing a vital role in their push for the title. His performances have earned strong praise in Turkey, with the club currently sitting third in the table, just six points behind leaders Galatasaray.

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Man City place Arsenal ‘bottles’ for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider

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Man City place Arsenal 'bottles' for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider

Manchester City appear to have kicked off the psychological battle ahead of their Premier League showdown with Arsenal.

In the build-up to the match, bottles branded with the Arsenal logo were reportedly being sold outside the stadium, priced cheaply and seemingly intended as a tongue-in-cheek way for home fans to mock the visiting supporters.

The stunt draws inspiration from a recent viral moment at Stamford Bridge, where a City fan was seen jokingly “drinking Arsenal tears” during their emphatic 3-0 win over Chelsea—a clip that quickly spread across social media.

With tensions already high given the importance of the fixture, the gesture adds another layer to the rivalry between the two sides. Arsenal, meanwhile, will be focused on responding where it matters most—on the pitch—as they aim to silence critics and deliver a strong result in what could be a defining game in the title race.

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Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho

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Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho

Alejandro Garnacho faced criticism from his former Manchester United teammates following Chelsea’s latest Premier League setback.

A first-half goal from Matheus Cunha secured a narrow but important win for United, strengthening the position of Michael Carrick’s side in the race for Champions League qualification. Chelsea, meanwhile, continue to struggle, with the defeat marking their fourth consecutive league loss without finding the net.

Pressure is mounting on head coach Liam Rosenior, who only took charge a few months ago after replacing Enzo Maresca. While the club has not publicly wavered in its support, questions are beginning to emerge over several players, including Garnacho, whose performances have failed to meet expectations since his £40 million move from Old Trafford.

Reports suggest Chelsea could be open to offers for the 21-year-old after a difficult start to life at Stamford Bridge. He had an early opportunity to impress against his former side after coming on for the injured Estevao, but once again struggled to make an impact, finding it hard to break through a United defence that was missing several first-choice centre-backs.

Garnacho also received a hostile reception from United supporters during the match, and the reaction appeared to carry over beyond the pitch. After the game, Luke Shaw shared an image on social media showing himself standing over Garnacho following a challenge. Bruno Fernandes responded with a playful but pointed comment, while former teammate Alex Telles also joined in with reactions.

Chelsea’s broader struggles are becoming increasingly concerning. They now sit four points behind Liverpool in the race for fifth place, despite having played an extra game. The current run—four straight league defeats without scoring—is their worst in nearly three decades, with an even longer drought not seen since 1912.

Across all competitions, the form is equally worrying, with six losses in their last seven matches and 16 goals conceded during that stretch. A significant portion of their recent goals have come in a single outing against Port Vale, highlighting their lack of consistency in front of goal.

After the match, Rosenior admitted uncertainty about what failing to qualify for the Champions League could mean for his future. He acknowledged the result was difficult to take, especially given that Chelsea created numerous chances but failed to convert them. He pointed out that United capitalised on a limited opportunity, while his side were unable to make their attacking pressure count.

Despite the frustration, Rosenior emphasized the need for continued effort and improvement, insisting that the team must find a way to turn their form around before the situation worsens further.

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