Football
PA Sport 9y

Andres Iniesta thrilled Copa del Rey final set for Camp Nou

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta is delighted that his team will play the Copa del Rey final in their own stadium.

The Spanish Football Federation voted in favour of the domestic cup final between Barca and Athletic Bilbao on May 30 to be played at the Camp Nou after the two clubs had failed to reach an agreement on a neutral venue.

"I like the choice," Iniesta told Marca. "It's a very good venue. The important thing is that we will be playing in the final.

"The Copa final is a very special day and we hope that it will be an extraordinary time for both Barca and Athletic fans."

Real Madrid refused to host the final at the Bernabeu, a decision that did not surprise Iniesta.

"I understand that because of the rivalry that exists between us," the Spain international said. "It's not nice that your eternal rival can celebrate winning a Copa in your stadium.

"I think the best things would be to fix a stadium from the start of the season and whoever gets to the final plays there."

No team has played the final in their own stadium since 2002, when Deportivo La Coruna won at Real Madrid.

Barca last played a Copa final at the Nou Camp in 1963 when they beat Real Zaragoza 3-1.

The Catalan outfit have won a record 26 Copa del Rey titles while Bilbao have lifted the trophy 23 times in their history.

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