These past few days have encompassed everything that is great, dramatic, and concerning about Spanish football. In the buildup to the Copa del Rey Final between Barcelona and Real Madrid, Real Madrid TV released a short video that tried to put into question the ethics of the man who was going to be the head referee of the match, Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea. 

During the actual match, Ricardo made a lot of close calls, and if anything, the calls were more in favor of Real Madrid. However, aside from a few questionable decisions, he held control of the match and let the game be decided by talent, not by outside circumstances. 

One fact to note: Barcelona scored their three goals from open play, while Real Madrid got their two goals from set pieces. Barcelona, who also had a higher xG, were very dominant in the first half, while Real Madrid turned up the tempo in the second half, which led to them gaining the lead late in the second half. However, Barcelona would tie it thanks to an insane ball from Lamine Yamal, which found Ferran Torres, who was able to take a touch past Courtois. 

In the second half of extra time, Jules Kounde, someone who consistently delivers for Barcelona, found the back of the net to win the game for Barca, but what came after that historic moment was pure pandemonium.

Real Madrid received three red cards in the last minute of extra time, with Rudiger throwing ice at Ricardo de Burgos. He would later apologize for that action. 

The message that Real Madrid sent with those red cards and the pressure they put on Ricardo beforehand is very worrying. Referees, whether you like them or not, are a foundational part of the game, and professional teams need to respect them. What Real Madrid did before the match, as popular YouTuber Zealandism described, was something that should be reserved for conversations inside a sports bar, not in front of millions of people around the world. 

Barcelona is also guilty of acting in a similar manner, albeit more subtly, but this type of behavior showcases a trend, or at least one that is more seen due to the rise of social media. Now, more than ever, it’s time to defend referees from abuse, because now, it’s coming from the biggest clubs, and that could result in some permanent damage. Real Madrid needs to calm down, or history will see them as culprit number one of what is to come.