Sevilla have expressed their ‘absolute disagreement’ with the decision of the Spanish FA (RFEF) to play the Spanish Supercopa over just one leg.
On Monday it was confirmed that the clash between Barcelona and Sevilla will be contested by a single match in August, deviating from the standard two-legged format.
The Moroccan city of Tangier is ‘very likely’ to host the game, according to Spanish FA chief Luis Rubiales.
“Sevilla FC expresses its absolute disagreement with the decision taken by the RFEF to schedule a one-legged match,” read a Sevilla club statement.
“The Club, despite seeing the decision to play just one match as unjust, will not refuse to play the final.
“Sevilla FC has been informed, through an email sent by the Secretary General of the RFEF that they had taken the unanimous decision that the final of the Supercopa de Espana 2018 will be a one-leg fixture this season played at a neutral venue, which could be Tangier, Morocco – though this is still to be confirmed.
“Sevilla FC would like to publicly express its absolute disagreement with the decision made, which has not taken the normal format of the competition to this date into account (that being a two-legged fixture); moreover, a decision that is exceptional, with the RFEF intending to continue organising the competition with two-legs in future seasons.
“It seems clear that the RFEF has taken a specific decision for the present edition of the competition with the exclusive intention of solving the problems of FC Barcelona, disregarding the requests of Sevilla FC, which, since the RFEF's occupation of the matter, has insisted on working with the 5th and 12th of August – as were set out in the approved La Liga Football Calendar – as the appropriate dates for the final.
“In the last meeting the Club participated in for the selection of dates, last Thursday, Sevilla FC impressed its desire once again for the habitual format of the competition and the fixed calendar to be respected.
“Notwithstanding, the RFEF have taken an arbitrary decision today, harmful to the interests of our Club. It has done so even without having already established a definitive venue for the Final. The Club considers this a lack of respect for our institution and fans.
“Sevilla FC made the decision to include the first-leg of the Supercopa as part of this season's season-ticket package, as it did in previous editions the Club participated in.
“This decision was made taking into account that the very same competition is held over two-legs and that there was already an approved calendar.
“The club notes that the RFEF has deprived Sevilla season-ticket holders of seeing a final in their stadium.
“The Club, despite considering the decision to play a one-leg final unjust, will not refuse to play in the final, having won the right to compete in the fixture on the field.”
