Real Madrid Refuses Bernabeu For Barcelona v Athletic Copa Del Rey Final

Real Madrid aren't going to allow this season's Copa del Rey final between Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao to be hosted at the Bernabeu.
"Two years ago 'Los Blancos' issued a statement to the Spanish Football Association noting their desire not to hold any more finals in their home stadium, and that included playing them as well as just organising them. And it seems the club's position on the matter hasn't changed since then as it hasn't offered to host this year's final."

The European champions "are looking for excuses to reject the proposal."  "The club were thinking of using their B team, Castilla, as an excuse for not allowing the final to take place there." Castilla may be engaged in a vital play-off on the same day and could use the Bernabeu to gain extra support at a vital time of the season.

Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu and his Athletic counterpart Josu Urrutia are said to have spoken and both reportedly agree the Bernabeu is the best venue for the final, but it seems they have differing opinions on a back-up plan.

Barca have outlined Valencia's Mestalla stadium as the best alternative, while Athletic prefer Sevilla's La Cartuja. It is suggested the Blaugrana's second-choice was based on the arena's "proximity and communications," while Athletic wish to ensure they can satisfy the approximate 43,000 fans who fill the San Mames each week.

Miguel Angel Lopez, who is organising the final for the RFEF, admits his hands are tied if Madrid don't change their minds: "If Real Madrid don't want the final to be played at the Bernabeu, then it can't be played there," he said.

Barca beat Athletic 3-0 in the 2012 final, held at Atletico Madrid's Vicente Calderon. Three years before this, the Blaugrana emerged 4-1 winners against the Basque club in a Mestalla-hosted showpiece. While Athletic are regular visitors to the final, they haven't won the trophy since 1984, which ironically came in a Bernabeu triumph over Barcelona.

While many Real Madrid fans will be hoping this snippet of history can be repeated, it seems the club are unwilling to commit. The final arrives at a crucial point of the season—coming six days after La Liga's conclusion and a week before the Champions League final—meaning Madrid may wish to limit any kind of potential interruption if they progress in the continental tournament.