Spanish Football Federation Looking To Schedule Cup Final Around Christmas
The Copa del Rey final could be held around Christmas (RFEF)
Athletic’s season ended in disappointment last night. The Lions were beaten 2-0 by Leganés at San Mamés which eliminated Athletic from European contention and with just one game remaining, Sunday’s trip to Granada, there’s nothing left to play for. Despite the finish, the team gave many reasons to be excited about the future.
The likes of Unai Simón, Ander Capa, Iñigo Martínez, and Yuri Berchiche established themselves as some of the top players in their positions this season while younger players such as Unai López, Oihan Sancet, and Asier Villalibre came on strong to finish the campaign. Most importantly, Athletic can still look forward to the Copa del Rey final.
As a result of the pandemic, both Athletic and Real Sociedad agreed to postpone the Cup final until fans could attend. Doing so meant that European qualification wouldn’t be a reward for winning the title, but the clubs chose to prioritize the fans above all else. So far there’s been no word on when the final will be played, but plans are now being made.
According to a report from José Félix Díaz of Marca, the Spanish Football Federation are currently working to schedule the Cup final around Christmas. If possible, it would be the first game in the country to allow fans since the pandemic. Both clubs are in agreement with the possibility, however doing so won’t be simple.
Life has slowly started to get back to normal in Spain, but a recent spike in Covid-19 cases is a problem. There’s still a chance that fans won’t be allowed back in stadium until 2021 which would mean that the Cup final would have to wait. Ultimately, the final must be played at least one week before next season’s final, but the hope is that Athletic and the fans can celebrate Christmas by competing for the title.