Barça vs. Alaves: Another huge mess over the Copa del Rey final venue
Like every year, choosing a stadium to host the final is proving problematic
Another mess is the search for a Copa del Rey final venue. A giant mess. Like every year. These dates always arrive, when we find out the finalists, and there is controversy. Generated by the absurd and ancient way of doing things at the RFEF, instead of operating like in other countries or like UEFA do with the Champions and Europea Leagues.
In Spain, the venue for the cup final is not decided until the last moment. And it always depends on the teams that make it. while the Champions and Europe League final venues are decided years in advance. In England, for example, they have Wembley. In Germany, they have played at Berlin's Olympic Stadium since 1985. The same in Italy, with Rome's Olympic Stadium since 2008. In France they've played in the Stade de France since 1998.
BARÇA WANT THE BERNABEU
So, Europe's other big leagues don't have the same mess. And now we have it again after Barcelona and Alaves reached the final this week. In this case, there's differences in what the two clubs would like. Barça want the Bernabeu because it's got the largest capacity after Camp Nou. The Blaugrana want as many tickets as possible for socios and fans. Alaves would prefere San Mames, because it's closer for their fans.
There are other conditions. The Bernabeu, in the middle of the country, would be the logical decision for a permanent cup final venue. But Madrid don't want to lend it when Barça are in the final for a fear of a repeat of 1997, when the Blaugrana won the title there and the Cule hymn rang out.
Athletic, meanwhile, have got an excuse to not use San Mames: three days after the final, on May 30, Guns N' Roses have a concert they and they have to prepare the stadium.
ATLETICO OFFER THE CALDERON
The RFEF are ready to use the Vicente Calderon, as offered by Atletico Madrid, who want to close their stadium with a cup final. And another alternative is the Mestalla, where three of the last eight finals have been played.
Let's see what happens in the coming weeks.
