Gaspart calls for venue compromise

Spanish Football Federation vice-president Joan Gaspart has urged Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao to compromise on a Copa del Rey final venue.

Both sides originally proposed the Santiago Bernabeu as host of the crowning game, but Real Madrid refused to grant their permission, citing prospective construction work.

The two clubs have been at loggerheads ever since, with the Catalans pushing for the Vicente Calderon and the Basque outfit opting for La Cartuja in Seville. It is now believed that Mestalla could be offered as a compromise and a possible third option.

“If Barca and Athletic do not reach an agreement tomorrow, the venue will be decided by lot,” Gaspart told Cadena COPE.

“(Drawing lots) is common. My experience of other occasions shows that in such cases the host is decided by lot. I already experienced this in the 1990 final when we (Barcelona) beat Real Madrid at Mestalla.”

“There has to be a draw of two, possibly three venues.”

Gaspart, who is a former president of Barcelona, said he understood Real Madrid’s decision not to offer their ground for the final.

“You do what you want in your own home,” he said. “It hurts, but I understand. I just hope that the reason is not that the last time we played a final there, we won.”