The tension during the Copa del Rey final at La Cartuja, especially towards the end with German player Rüdiger’s outburst, was palpable in the stands as well. This atmosphere affected the injured Real Madrid players, who were not eligible to participate due to Carlo Ancelotti’s squad decisions. Among them was defender Dani Carvajal, who was caught by Movistar cameras verbally abusing the match referee, Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea.
Sitting in the first row behind the Real Madrid bench alongside fellow injured player Militao, Carvajal displayed visible frustration over some of the referee’s calls. Throughout the match, he directed insults at De Burgos Bengoetxea such as, “¡Cagaos!”, “¡Hijo de puta!”, and “¡Caradura!”. If recorded in the match report, these behaviors could lead to serious repercussions for the international defender, as the disciplinary code of the RFEF imposes penalties for insulting or showing disrespect towards referees, even from the stands.
This incident was not Carvajal’s first altercation while sidelined. During the quarter-final match against Arsenal, he confronted English player Saka in the tunnel during half-time, requiring intervention from those nearby to separate the two.
However, after the final against Barcelona, Carvajal made his way to the pitch for the medal ceremony, where he displayed a much calmer demeanor and engaged amicably with rival players like goalkeeper Ter Stegen, who had recently recovered from a long-term injury.
This shows the complexities of athletes dealing with their emotions, especially when sidelined due to injuries. Despite the heated moments, Carvajal’s later interactions highlight the sportsmanship that can emerge when the game is over. This transition from frustration to camaraderie is a hopeful reminder of the spirit of the sport.