The head of Spain’s Higher Sports Council (CSD), Miguel Cardenal, is backing fans of Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona not to jeer the national anthem.
The two clubs will contest the Copa del Rey final in May and Cardenal says he hopes their supporters will respect the anthem at the showpiece event, despite the whistles that greeted it when Mestalla hosted the occasion in 2009 and 2012.
“I’d like both clubs to issue a call to their fans to remind them that the Copa del Rey final is sport,” he told Spanish radio.
“Whoever wants to assert their ideology has plenty of other places to do that without causing offence to others.
“I’m sure the majority of Athletic and Barca fans will respect the anthem, whatever their ideology, but if someone wants to jeer then maybe it’s because they lack the minimum notion of democratic principles.”
A decision on the venue for the game has still not been made but Cardenal insists calling it off because of the fears is not something he can see happening.
“Where it is played is a decision for the Spanish Football Federation but I don’t think calling if off is feasible.
“I’d love it to be played at San Mames because it’s a wonderful stadium, but the final decision lies with the Federation.”
