La Liga president Javier Tebas has accused Real Madrid of threatening match officials appointed to officiate today’s Copa del Rey final against Barcelona.

Tebas noted that Los Blancos have been promoting negative propaganda against the referees via their affiliated channel RMTV and also demanding their removal.

But the Spanish football federation (RFEF) swiftly rejected their request, leading Carlo Ancelotti’s side to cancel their scheduled press conference and pre-match training session.

“He doesn’t like Tebas because he doesn’t act according to his wishes. He doesn’t like Ceferin because he doesn’t listen to him. He doesn’t like Louzan because he is not under his influence. He doesn’t like the commentators on TV because they don’t say what he wants to hear,” Tebas wrote on X.

“He didn’t accept the reforms because they don’t suit him. Now, after the referees have reacted—after constant harassment from Real Madrid TV—he reacts by cancelling press conferences, skipping training, spitting on the competition, and refusing to attend the final. He doesn’t complain; he threatens. He doesn’t protest; he punishes. He doesn’t want to improve football; he wants to own it.

“The worst part isn’t that he wants to own football—it’s that certain circles allow it, normalize it, and even help him.\"