Bernabeu ruled out for Copa decider

The Copa del Rey final will not take place at the Bernabeu, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) have announced.

The much-anticipated Spanish cup decider featuring Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao has been the source of debate, in particular regarding the proposed venue for the May 25 clash.

Real Madrid publicly expressed their dissatisfaction with plans to host the game at their stadium, contrary to requests from the Basque side, and the officials have backed the capital club.

“Madrid have declared themselves and it’s ruled out. Florentino (Perez) spoke to the federation and he has transmitted his decision. As club employees have said, it cannot be,” RFEF president Angel Maria Villar said on Radio Nacional de Espana.

“Athletic insisted, but if it cannot be, it cannot be.”

Villar went on to explain that an alternative venue to host the final has not yet been chosen.

“It still hasn’t been determined. The two teams will get together and we will listen to them, which is what we have always done. There has already been one meeting without an agreement and we will now call another one,” he said.