Latest news with #GonzalezFuertes
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Just in – RFEF will not change referees for Barcelona vs Real Madrid Copa del Rey final
Just in – RFEF will not change referees for Barcelona vs Real Madrid Copa del Rey final As reported just a while back, Real Madrid are demanding a change of match officials for Saturday's Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid. The Merengues were stunned by the current referee, Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea, breaking down into tears in his press conference earlier today and have concerns about whether he is ready for such a big assignment. Advertisement Furthermore, comments made by the main VAR official, Gonzalez Fuertes, against the RMTV videos also caused them to question if the refereeing would be neutral. As such, Real Madrid wanted the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to replace the referees for the final in Seville. No changes But, according to fresh reports coming in from COPE, the RFEF has ruled out the possibility of making any changes to the match officials for the Copa del Rey final between Barcelona and Real Madrid. Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes is the main VAR official for the cup final. (Photo by) The Spanish Federation sees the possibility of changing referees so close to the game as simply 'unfeasible' and as such, there will be no alterations made. Advertisement It means that De Burgos Bengoetxea will continue as the main referee for the cup final while Gonzalez Fuertes will remain the head VAR official. Real Madrid are going through a difficult period of late and it must also be noted that they have already suffered two heavy defeats at the hands of Barcelona this season. So, these tactics from the Spanish capital club ahead of the finals of the Copa del Rey tomorrow hardly come as surprising. As far as Barcelona are concerned, they will be aiming to stay away from all the noise and distraction and remain focused on the game and delivering another top performance against their arch-rivals just like they did in the Spanish Super Cup final in January.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Reason behind referee designation for VAR in Copa del Rey final draws fury
Real Madrid and Barcelona will do battle in Seville on Saturday night in the Copa del Rey final, and rightly or probably wrongly, the referee will be at the centre of attention. However it is the designation of the VAR that has drawn criticism in the lead-up to the game. Los Blancos have been in a long-running mud-slinging campaign against the officials in Spain, while Barcelona have been no stranger to publicly decrying decisions from referees in recent years too. Meanwhile Los Blancos are currently part of a committee to reform the refereeing body (Referees Technical Committee or CTA). The President, Luis Medina Cantalejo, recently announced from next season they intend to have separate referees as VAR officials, and others for on-pitch referees. Advertisement Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea will take charge of the Copa final, which is no surprise as he tends to be one of a select few to be in charge of big games. The announcement that Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes as the VAR has taken some by surprise though, with the card-happy official rarely considered for such big occasions. epa08713435 Cadiz's striker Alvaro Negredo (L) is sent off with a red card by referee Gonzalez Fuertes (C) during a Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Athletic Bilbao and Cadiz at San Mames stadium in Bilbao, Spain, 01 October 2020. EPA-EFE/Luis Tejido Speaking on Cadena SER, former referee Eduardo Iturralde Gonzalez expressed his own bewilderment at the decision, but his rationale behind the decision has raised serious questions and no shortage of criticism. Gonzalez Fuertes is in his final season before retirement, and Iturralde asserted that he was put in charge as the CTA fear a major controversy, and as he only has a few games remaining in La Liga, and it is less of an issue if he becomes the villain of the piece, rather than 'burning' someone expected to take charge of future Clasicos. Iturralde did not declare a source, and it may well just be his explanation rather than information, but having spent decades in the officiating sphere in Spain, he certainly has his finger on the pulse. With any fortune, Gonzalez Fuertes will not be mentioned after the final whistle in La Cartuja.
