Abraham P. Romero

Updated Saturday, April 6, 2024-22:36

King

Felipe VI

, the first vice president of the Government

María Jesús Montero

, the president of the Junta de Andalucía

Juanma Moreno

and the president of the Management Commission of the Federation,

Rafael del Amo

, were the main representatives in the box at the La Cartuja stadium to enjoy the Copa del Rey final between

Athletic Club

and

Mallorca

. A final whose beginning, as always, was starred by the Spanish anthem.

"

Athletic Club requests its fans to refrain from carrying out acts or demonstrations

that may be considered a lack of respect, including when the previous anthem is played.

"Respect for any symbol or anthem in sports competitions, and the football World Cup, rugby or the Olympics are the best examples, represents a display of

education, civility and tolerance

that transcends other issues or demands," the Basque team had requested in the previous one. A direct message to their fans, who in the last Cup finals had loudly whistled the anthem during their broadcast.


On this occasion, and paying attention to the club's request, the Athletic fans, with the exception of some fans who booed the anthem, opted for chants instead of whistles: "

Goazen, Athletic! (Come on, Athletic)

", they sang non-stop during the sound of the national chords, waving their scarves non-stop. Opposite, in the stands of the

Mallorca fans,

Spanish flags

were seen

and the anthem was celebrated.

Back in the box,

the Federation found itself somewhat bereft

after the controversial months in which the organization has experienced a continuous departure, via resignation, disqualification or dismissal, of its main representatives.

Without Luis Rubiales or Pedro Rocha

, who resigned this week to call elections and be able to run, the manager who stood next to the political representatives was

Rafael del Amo

, president of the

Management Commission

and head of the

Navarra Football Federation

.

In the

VIP seats

you could see the national coach,

Luis de la Fuente

, the tennis player

Rafa Nadal

with his coach

Carlos Moyá or

the president of the

Popular Party Alberto Núñez Feijoó