April 30 – Further details have emerged of radical changes to the formats of Spain’s Copa del Rey and, especially, the Spanish Super Cup that have caused a huge rift between the Spanish FA and La Liga.
The FA approved the changes earlier this week despite fierce opposition from the league. Under the changes, the Copa del Rey switches to a single match format, with the exception of the semi-finals, which remain a two-leg tie.
The Spanish Super Cup will switch from the traditional format between the league winners and the cup winners to a four-team competition. Both Spanish Cup finalists as well as the top two in La Liga will participate.
Teams involved in the Super Cup – Barcelona, Valencia, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid – will not have to participate in the first two rounds of the Copa del Rey. If a team is in the cup final and the top two in La Liga, the place would pass down to the next team in the league table.
The changes are expected to take effect at the beginning of next season, although the Spanish league could still appeal the federation’s decision, which was approved during its general assembly.
The Spanish league voted last week in its own assembly not to support the changes, saying it should have been directly involved in the discussions. The federation insists the changes will help reduce the number of games for clubs and players.
Federation president Luis Rubiales confirmed last week that consideration was being given to play the Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, prompting criticism by human rights groups. Last year’s fixture, won by Barcelona against Sevilla, was played in Tangier, Morocco.
“We are working on it,” said Rubiales. “Nothing has been signed. Saudi Arabia is an option and we have not denied that. We are looking for the best thing for the teams and the players and the referees. The United States is an option, we have had proposals from there too. We have to look for what would be best for everyone.”
Up until now, like in most other European countries, the Spanish Super Cup has been played in mid-summer as a seasonal curtain-raiser. But from now on, the final four will be played in January, right in the middle of the European season, with the semi-finals on January 8 and 9 and the final on January 12.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1714100885labto1714100885ofdlr1714100885owedi1714100885sni@w1714100885ahsra1714100885w.wer1714100885dna1714100885