Atlético Madrid Fans Condemn Poor Organization of Copa del Rey Final at La Cartuja Stadium
Atlético Madrid supporters, including the 'Senado Rojiblanco' fan group and fans with disabilities, have expressed strong dissatisfaction with what they described as the catastrophic organization of the Copa del Rey final at La Cartuja Stadium in Seville. Fans directed sharp criticism at the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and the Seville City Council for failures that included difficult access to the sports facility, poor municipal services, chaos in the fan zone, and disorganized entry procedures for the stands.
Complaints also highlighted paying exorbitant amounts for tickets without receiving services commensurate with their value. The fan collective stated in a declaration, “After returning home, we feel angry not only because of the undeserved result, but we condemn the catastrophic organization of the Spanish Football Federation and its partners in this event, in which we believe the Seville City Council has a significant role.” Fans also described La Cartuja Stadium as excessively uncomfortable, noting that it could only be accessed on foot under extremely harsh conditions.
Fans with disabilities protested their seating locations, which did not provide a clear view of the match, prompting some to move to the aisles in search of a better vantage point. In this regard, fan José Luis González published photos and videos via the X platform to document these difficulties. The fan collective demanded accountability from officials and called for resignations within the Spanish Football Federation, concluding their statement, “This is the worst possible organization for a final, and we have certainly left out many other details. We demand accountability.”
These protests come at a time when Atlético Madrid lost the title on penalties, intensifying the anger of supporters who demanded transparency in the management of such major events. The fans emphasized that the poor organization directly affected their experience in the city and at the stadium, asserting that the demand for accountability is to ensure these scenes are not repeated in future sporting events.
