Copa del Rey final in limbo as RFEF yet to confirm date or kick-off time

MADRID, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The results from the first leg of the semifinals of the Spanish Copa del Rey have left Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid as favorites to contest the final after Real Sociedad won 1-0 away to Athletic Bilbao and Atletico stunned FC Barcelona 4-0 in the Metropolitano Stadium on Thursday night.

However, with just over a month until the final, the president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Rafael Louzan admits he doesn't know exactly when the game will be played.

The final was originally scheduled to be held at the Estadio de la Cartuja in Seville on April 25, but was reconsidered after the RFEF realized it clashed with the MotoGP in nearby Jerez and Seville's annual 'Feria de Abril' celebrations.

Speaking to sports paper Diario Marca, Louzan said the final has been brought forward to the previous weekend, but couldn't confirm if it would be played on April 18 or 19.

A further problem is that Real Betis is using la Cartuja for its home games this season and there could be a Europa League match in the ground on April 16.

"For the first time, Betis is playing at that stadium, both in La Liga and in European competition, and we are considering whether the best time would be Saturday night (likely at 9 p.m.) or Sunday at 4 p.m., or 5 p.m," commented Louzan, who added that the RFEF was "talking with the four presidents of the semifinalists," because "we're short on time."

Louzan added there was a further scheduling problem because the "Spanish women's national team plays a World Cup qualifying game and it can only be on Saturday."

"For the fans, Saturday might be better, but we also have to consider the television rights, as a major broadcaster holds them. We have to try to make everything work," Louzan stated. ■