Copa del Rey final moved to Camp Nou after Real Madrid refuse to host match at Santiago Bernabeu

Camp Nou to host the Copa del Rey final

Barcelona, March 26 (IANS) The Spanish football federation (RFEF) have confirmed that this season's Copa del Rey’s final between Athletic Club Bilbao and FC Barcelona will be played at Camp Nou here on May 30.

Both finalists had asked for the game to be played at Real Madrid's 78,000 capacity Santiago Bernabeu. Last week, they had sent a joint letter to RFEF requesting that the Madrid stadium be the venue, arguing that it is the biggest neutral ground in Spain.

Madrid is relatively easy to reach for both sets of supporters and the capital city has enough hotels to accommodate everyone with no problem.

However, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, who describes themselves as a 'club of gentlemen', refused to cede the ground to Athletic and Barcelona for the second time in three years, forcing both sides to agree on an alternative venue.

Athletic asked for the final to be played in Seville in Betis' Benito Villamarin while Barcelona preferred Valencia's Mestalla and the two were unable to reach agreement.

That meant the RFEF members voted on the final and they decided to play in Barcelona's Camp Nou, which has a capacity of 99,000, much greater than either Mestalla or Athletic's San Mames, which was also mooted as a possible venue.

Barcelona will have a clear advantage in playing in a ground which they are used to while Athletic will think that their support will perhaps outnumber Barcelona fans in the stadium.

[CUP FINAL] Camp Nou will be the venue for the game between FC Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao http://t.co/8orNjXZ5D0 pic.twitter.com/8oLBo3nv3S

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 25, 2015

Camp Nou will stage the #CopadelRey final between @AthleticClub and @FCBarcelona_es http://t.co/EpZnxV5VSD pic.twitter.com/EeHK8tNsEi

— La Liga (@LaLiga) March 26, 2015

Iniesta: "Cup final at Camp nou? I like it. I understand Madrid didn't want it, it's not pleasant your rival could celebrate at your place."

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) March 25, 2015

First time Barça will play the CdR final at Camp Nou since 1963. Madrid were the last team to play CdR final at home [2012], lost to Atleti

— Sergi Domínguez (@FutbolSergi) March 25, 2015