REAL MADRID have issued a statement following a referee breaking down in tears ahead of the Copa del Rey final.
Los Blancos are due to face rivals at the Estadio de La Cartuja tonight.
However, the capital-based club pulled out of pre-match activities after referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea's press conference.
The Spanish official broke down as he responded to a video by in-house TV channel RMTV.
The video highlighted decisions that had gone against Real, which the club believe to have been incorrect.
An emotional De Brugos said: “To see your son come from school crying because some kids have said his dad is a crook is very hard to take.
“What I do is tell my son that his father is honourable. I make mistakes, like any athlete, but I am honourable.
“I want my son to be proud of his father and of the profession.
“Nobody has the right to submit my colleagues to what they are dealing with.”
Reuters has claimed that Real views the ref's comments as a “clear conflict of interest.”
A source told the outlet that the club believe that the refereeing team should be changed for the final.
However, the Spanish FA rejected the request.
The actions of the club led many to believe that they may boycott the final entirely.
However, Real later released a statement that insisted that it “never considered” withdrawing from the match.
The club continued to argue that “‘s values must prevail, despite animosity that has once again been shown against our club”.
The final VAR, Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes, joined De Brugos at his press conference.
He insisted that referees will soon take action against the constant pressure they are under.
He added: “In a few days, you all will see.
“We are going to make history and we are not going to continue to put up with what we are putting up with.
“A strike? You will have news from us soon.”
Barcelona manager has also weighed in on the referee debacle.
The German insisted that officials, like players, need to be protected,
He 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.”
