Tebas sends Barcelona fans warning over Copa del Rey final

La Liga president Javier Tebas has warned Barcelona fans the Copa del Rey final could be called off if the Spanish national anthem is whistled ahead of kick off.

The game against Sevilla is scheduled for April 21 at Atletico Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano Stadium and occurs with political tensions still high in Spain.

Back in October the Spanish government imposed direct rule over Catalonia after Catalan president Carles Puigdemont refused to abandon a push for independence.

Barcelona have already been affected by the political unrest, they played their La Liga match against Las Palmas behind closed doors after violent scenes during the Catalonia independence referendum.

Barca wanted the game postponed but Spanish authorities refused and the game went ahead at an empty Camp Nou with the hosts prevailing 3-0.

Tebas has now called on supporters to show respect at the Copa del Rey final or risk seeing the game stopped.

“I have always said there should be punishments, including stopping the game,” he said.

“I am not saying it is foreseen that [the anthem] will be whistled. But if nothing much changes, then article 155 should be enforced at the Wanda Metropolitano.

“This would show that during these times, we are respecting the symbols of the nation.”

Source | El Debate de Hoy (via ESPN)

The anthem has been regularly whistled by Barcelona fans with the club in the final for the fourth time in a row.