Real Madrid show true colours amid boycott rumours after Arsenal masterclass

Real Madrid have issued two separate statements amid speculation that the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona may not go ahead.

It was just last week that Arsenal knocked the La Liga giants out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage. The Gunners will now prepare to face Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-final of the competition, with the first leg taking place next week.

Madrid's next chance of winning a major trophy will come in the Copa del Rey final, where they will face arch rivals Barcelona in Seville on Saturday. However, there were rumours swirling across social media on Friday that Madrid may choose not to take part in the final.

The speculation arose after Madrid issued their first statement of the day, outlining their anger after comments made in a press conference by referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea. The official will take charge of the Copa del Rey final on Saturday, and broke down in tears during the press conference amid continued pressure on referees by Madrid's TV channel.

Real Madrid TV produced a club video that highlighted the win percentages of Barcelona and Real Madrid when the Spanish official has taken charge of their games. It also pointed out that he has never refereed in the Champions League or FIFA tournaments and even ran a highlight reel of perceived mistakes the 39-year-old has made.

"It's not right what we are going through, many colleagues, and not just in professional football, but also at grassroots level," De Burgos Bengoetxea told reporters during Friday's press conference.

"Everyone should reflect about where we want to go, about what we want from sport and from football."

The Spanish football federation (RFEF) confirmed earlier in the day that Madrid had cancelled their pre-match press conference as well as the open training session, creating more rumours that the club may choose not to play in Saturday's final against Barcelona.

The latest statement from Madrid confirmed that they will play in the final and dismissed rumours that the club were considering not taking part in the match in Seville.

"In light of the rumours that have arisen in the last few hours, Real Madrid CF communicates that our team never considered refusing to play tomorrow's final," Real Madrid's second statement read.

"Our club understands that the unfortunate and inappropriate statements from the referees appointed for this match, made 24 hours before the final, cannot tarnish a sporting event of global importance that will be watched by hundreds of millions of people and also out of respect also for all the fans who are planning to travel to Seville, and for all those who are already in the Andalusian capital.

"Real Madrid understands that football's values must prevail, despite the hostility and animosity that has once again been shown against our club, by the referees appointed for the final."

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