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Former Barcelona forward Christoph Dugarry says Real Madrid “hit rock bottom” with their conduct prior to and during their Copa del Rey defeat at the weekend.
The European champions lost 3-2 to Barca in extra-time – Jules Kounde netting a late winner for the Catalans – but that only told half the story of a weekend of controversy.
Madrid reignited their campaign against referees before the game and then objected to their right to a response while, on the field, they had three players sent off as defeat was accompanied by disgrace.
Dugarry demands action against Madrid
And Dugarry, who played for Barca in a career that also saw spells with Bordeaux, AC Milan and Marseille as well as 55 appearances for France, believes strong action needs to be taken.
He told the Rothen Enflamme show: “I still wonder how the biggest club in the world can carry out such a campaign of discredit against the referee before a match. What example is Real Madrid giving to the youth in the world?
“They have to be sanctioned. If they don’t it will be a disaster for soccer. It won’t be surprising to see young people move away from the most popular sport in the world because of what the leaders are doing, using methods of thuggery.
“They have trampled on football. Real Madrid has hit rock bottom.”
No creo que a Rudiger le caiga más de un partido porque se ve claramente que está disputando el balón. pic.twitter.com/QnQqU8p5R4
— Manuel García (@Candeliano) April 27, 2025
A weekend of controversy
Madrid had prior to the game petitioned for referee Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea and VAR official Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes to be replaced after the two officials outlined their disgust at a video on the club’s in-house TV channel that highlighted errors made during their careers.
Bengoetxea’s biggest call of the game went in Madrid’s favour as, following a VAR review at the pitchside monitor, he reversed his initial decision to award Barcelona a 96th-minute penalty after Raul Asencio appeared to bring down Raphinha.
That meant normal time ended with the game level at 2-2, Ferran Torres having equalised after Kylian Mbappe’s free-kick and Aurelien Tchouameni’s header had given Madrid a second-half lead following Pedri’s stunning opener for Barca.
But Kounde’s fierce drive in the 116th minute secured victory for Barcelona as they stayed on course for the treble, and prompted scenes of anger from the Madrid bench with defender Antonio Rudiger having to be held back from contronting the officials after being sent-off.
Jude Bellingham and Lucas Vazquez were also dismissed as Madrid lost their discipline.