Copa del Rey final at La Cartuja faces legal row and tight turnaround | OneFootball

The Copa del Rey final at La Cartuja on 18 April is overshadowed by mounting off-field issues after a fraught hunt for an alternative date.

As reported by AS, Atlético de Madrid and Real Sociedad will contest the showpiece, moved from its initial 25 April slot. Meanwhile, stadium manager David Oviedo and former Andalusian sports secretary José María Arrabal have been placed under investigation over alleged contracting irregularities with the Spanish federation during Luis Rubiales' presidency.

Seville City Council, which holds 17.8 percent of the venue operator, has so far kept its distance. Seville Provincial Council and the Spanish Government, together owning 45 percent, have called an urgent board meeting to address the situation, including Oviedo's position. His departure days before the final could create a power vacuum and seriously damage preparations.

This comes at a delicate moment. Betis lost the Europa League round of 16 first leg to Panathinaikos on Thursday, yet hope to overturn the tie on 19 March at La Cartuja. If successful, they would face Ferencvaros or Braga, hosting the quarter-final second leg on 16 April at the same ground.

That would leave fewer than 48 hours to change the venue's look and, more importantly, ready a pitch that has not often been in good condition in recent times. During Spain against Türkiye in World Cup qualifying in November, concern about the surface was evident.

Source: AS