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Real Madrid have been embroiled in a refereeing controversy prior to their clash with Barcelona.(Image: Photo by Florencia Tan Jun - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Real Madrid have been embroiled in another controversial saga in Spain with the future of Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold still to be determined.

Los Blancos are intent on bringing the Reds full-back to La Liga, with his contract due to expire in the summer, after expressing an interest in the England international.

But as they prepare for the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona in Seville on Saturday (9pm kick-off), they have been embroiled in an incredible back-and-forth with referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, who is due to take charge of the Clasico final.

In the build-up to Saturday's domestic cup final, De Burgos Bengoetxea was reportedly targeted by Real Madrid TV with a club video highlighting the win percentages of Barcelona and Los Blancos when the 39-year-old has officiated, as well as alleged mistakes and his lack of experience in the Champions League or FIFA competitions.

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Speaking during a press conference, a tearful De Burgos Bengoetxea said: "When a child of yours goes to school and there are kids telling him that his father is a 'thief' and comes home crying, it's totally messed up.

"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."

It is the latest ordeal involving Carlo Ancelotti's side after writing a formal letter of complaint to the Spanish football association and Spain's High Council of Sports to sensationally claim against referees in the country.

The assistant Video Assistant Referee, Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes, who was assigned the role for the final spoke out against the club broadcaster.

But Los Blancos issued a furious statement in response to the claims made by the official.

"Real Madrid CF considers the public statements made today by the referees designated for the Copa del Rey Final, scheduled to be held tomorrow, April 26, 2025, to be unacceptable," the release read.

"These protests, which have surprisingly focused attention on videos from a media outlet protected by freedom of expression, such as Real Madrid TV, deliberately carried out 24 hours earlier against one of the final's participants, demonstrate, once again, the clear and manifest animosity and hostility of these referees toward Real Madrid.

"Even more surprising statements, in a threatening tone, alluding to the referees' unity, were used to announce alleged measures or actions that fall far short of the principles of fairness, objectivity, and impartiality that should prevail just hours before a football event that captures the attention of hundreds of millions of people around the world.

"Given the seriousness of what happened, Real Madrid hopes that those responsible for the RFEF and the refereeing body will act accordingly, adopting the necessary measures to defend the prestige of the institutions they represent."

There were suggestions that Madrid could even boycott the domestic showpiece, however, a further statement was issued and claimed they 'never considered' snubbing the chance at playing for silverware.

"Real Madrid communicates that our team has never considered giving up playing tomorrow's final," they added.

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

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"Real Madrid understands that the values of football must prevail, despite the hostility and animosity that have been evident today, once again against our club, by these referees designated for the final."