Spanish Football Federation President:
Football Must Win in Real Madrid vs Barcelona Match!
Rafael Lozano, president of the Spanish Football Federation, once again addressed the refereeing controversies surrounding the Copa del Rey final.
The Copa del Rey final is set to take place shortly. The match has been overshadowed by Real Madrid’s disputes with referees, who held a press conference on Friday to respond to criticisms from Real Madrid’s official TV channel. This led the Madrid club to cancel the pre-match press conference with Carlo Ancelotti and Luka Modrić, even threatening to withdraw from the match. Last night, Lozano spoke with Florentino Pérez to calm the situation. Now, Lozano has once again spoken about certain issues before the match.
Calm Before the Match?
Today, we want football to be the winner, which is the most important thing in this era. I had the opportunity to tour the stadium, and the atmosphere was excellent. I must highlight the outstanding behavior of both fan groups. I hope this continues.
Focus on Football, Not Refereeing?
Without a doubt. Today, football must win. This is a major event. Everyone knows what has happened. I have said before that nothing will happen, but now the most important thing is that we can enjoy a great match. Over 70,000 people are in the city to watch this big final, and millions around the world will watch it on TV. There are high expectations, as both teams are in top form.
Is There a Possibility of Extending the Contract with La Cartuja Stadium for More Finals?
Yes, definitely. I have been told there is great interest in continuing to host Copa del Rey matches at this great stadium, which is now the third-largest in Spain in terms of capacity. Seville is an excellent city for such events. We will see what happens.
Has the Rule Regarding Copa del Rey Trophy Ownership Changed?
Yes, this rule has been approved because the commission of representatives passed it. We believed it was more logical for the champion team to take the trophy home. This is similar to the away goals rule change. These are things that need to evolve in football because change is necessary. From now on, the winning team will take the trophy home.