Real Madrid have made it clear that they do not want the Copa del Rey final hosted at the Santiago Bernabeu, according to AS.
Despite the wishes of finalists Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao to have the match staged at the home of Los Blancos, the newspaper cites statements from a club spokesman, who insists the venue will not be one of those considered by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
“[We don’t want] another final, not even a Champions League [final],” he was quoted as saying by AS.
“[However] we’d be delighted to welcome Spain [to the Santiago Bernabeu].”
Madrid may use the excuse that the final will clash with a potential Castilla play-off first leg, which would fall on May 30-31, the same weekend as the Copa showpiece, although RFEF match coordinator Miguel Angel Lopez has assured them that his organisation will not force them to host the match.
"We understand Madrid’s [concerns], we won’t force them [to host] the final,” he told reporters.
It leaves Valencia’s Mestalla as the favourite to host the final, given their interest and Camp Nou and San Mames both being ruled out due to the requirement of a neutral venue.
Elsewhere, the Spanish legs of AC/DC’s European tour has denied both the Vicente Calderon and Montjuic from hosting duties, while La Cartuja is considered a second choice.
Additionally, Madrid are believed to be against the idea of hosting a match involving two teams with whom they have poor relationships, amid Catalan and Basque tensions, while the 2013 final, which they lost to Atletico Madrid, ended in chaos.
