Football
Who is the Barcelona vs Real Madrid referee? Everything we know following controversy
Referee Ricardo de Burgos is set to take center stage tonight as Barcelona and Real Madrid clash in the Copa del Rey final.
The atmosphere leading up to the match has been overshadowed by Real Madrid’s open criticism of the appointed match officials.
Tensions peaked when the reigning European champions released a statement clarifying they had no plans to boycott the final, despite heavily criticizing the refereeing appointments.
Real Madrid branded comments made by the officials as “unacceptable” after an emotional press conference in which De Burgos broke down in tears.

In a strongly-worded statement, Real Madrid questioned the impartiality of De Burgos and VAR official Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes, even suggesting they should be barred from officiating one of the most important matches of the season.
Their concerns were rooted in claims of historical bias and alleged mistakes, fueled by a video circulating on Real Madrid TV that dissected De Burgos’ record, highlighting statistics like the winning percentages of Barcelona and Real Madrid under his supervision, and his absence from top-tier tournaments like the Champions League and FIFA competitions.
The emotional moment when Ricardo de Burgos cried before the media added fuel to the fire. Born in Bilbao, the 39-year-old referee admitted that the pressure from Real Madrid’s official channel has become unbearable.
He emphasized that the constant criticism has deeply affected referees across Spain, saying “it’s not right what we are going through” during his heartfelt address. VAR official Gonzalez Fuertes also hinted that referees might take action against the ongoing media campaigns that he believes undermine their credibility.
On Friday, Real Madrid chose to boycott their official pre-match media duties and later issued a public complaint about the “clear and manifest animosity and hostility” they feel from the referees.
Their statement described the referees’ press conference as an “unacceptable” attempt to shift attention onto Real Madrid TV, which they argue operates under the protection of freedom of expression.
They further criticized the referees’ “threatening tone” and warned that their remarks contradicted the principles of fairness and impartiality expected ahead of such a globally significant event.
Real Madrid urged the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and the refereeing authorities to take immediate steps to defend the reputation and credibility of Spanish football institutions.
Their concerns come after a season filled with controversy, including a previous formal complaint where the club accused Spanish refereeing of being “rigged” and “completely discredited.”
Meanwhile, Barcelona have taken a calmer stance regarding the issue. Manager Hansi Flick expressed his view that referees deserve protection and respect, especially ahead of crucial matches. Speaking during his press conference, Flick said, “For me, it’s only a sport.
It’s only a game. It’s only football. It is our responsibility to protect not only the players but all the people involved in the game.”
As tensions rise between Spain’s two biggest football clubs and the country’s refereeing authorities, all eyes will be on how tonight’s Copa del Rey final unfolds under the intense spotlight.
Football
‘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.
Football
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.
Football
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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