At 22.00, the new Cartuja stadium wore a spectacular image. 70.000 aficionados inaugurated the third largest stadium in Spain with an always unique show: a final of a Classic Madrid-Barça After more than a decade that would also be broadcast in practically everyone. The economic impact is above 60 million euros for hotels and bars full during the weekend. But the scope is even greater if the projection of the city is evaluated internationally and especially of a new equipment that after the investments made allows to increase its agenda of first level cultural and sports events. This final was a showcase.
This was reflected by the Andalusian president, Juanma Moreno, before the start of a meeting that has tried to flag and star in weeks: “Soccer was invented for matches like these and Andalusia is the best place to welcome them. Spectacular ambient in the La Cartuja stadium!” Not in vain is the Junta de Andalucía who has executed a transformation of the stadium and has managed to arrive on time. Despite this, the protocol sent. And the main position with the King of Spain Felipe VI went to the Vice President of the Government María Jesús Montero, who has also become his main political adversary. There were differences as in 2024 on this issue, and the Royal House, which is the one who commands, made the decision not to repeat and give its place to the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, an institution that does not go on its best public image moment. Moreno went to the background.
The name of Seville and that of Andalusia were seen before, during and after a historic party that also came to be the sixth of a series hired by an agreement between administrations for Andalusia that ends this year. Therefore, since yesterday night, another negotiation starts. Andalusia has taught its letters and aspires to be the permanent headquarters of this sports event. For that, he has his new stadium.
At the height of great events
Both the Andalusian president, Juanma Moreno, and the mayor of Seville, José Luis Sanz, underlined the previous days the organization that has the city of Seville and all the administrations involved. From the central government to the City Council. And raised a device that tried to solve the deficiencies that had been evidenced in previous editions.
The police device was raised at the height of a high -risk party such as the final. With more than 2,000 national, local and civil guard agents distributed throughout the city and especially in the most conflicting areas such as the city center. The street atmosphere was probably not like that of other finals with smaller hobbies in quantitative terms but less accustomed to enjoying a final of these characteristics.
The Junta de Andalucía, the City Council and the Royal Spanish Football Federation opted to establish the two 'fan zones' in La Cartuja. One in the Alamillo Park and the other on the bench of Carlos III Avenue in a new attempt to reduce the pressure of the center. Something was achieved but the reality is that the hobbies focused on Triana and the historic center, especially in the Alameda de Hercules, in the case of Madrid, and the new square in Barcelona.
Incidents on the street
And there the two problems that have tarnished this final of the Copa del Rey. First, the displacements of the hobbies of the Cartuja highlighted the deficiencies of the accesses to the island from early. Baches, damage, lack of shadow, limited accesses … The shock plan that had been announced were some specific improvements but the problems of the Cartuja stadium endure and could perceive them more than 70,000 people yesterday. A first level stadium with an environment that still does not live up to it.
The center was the second and main problem. The fans of Barcelona FC was gradually taking over an environment that should be protected by its historical-artistic value and for being the heart of the city. The New Plaza or the Plaza de San Francisco They were a bottle, with firecrackers, flares, fireworks, and vandalisms included. The environment, as is usually the case in these cases, deteriorated and broke the most violent groups that starred altercations early in the afternoon. Again, the image of Seville associated with a football final was linked to police charges, damage and some detention. The other bottle was in the Alameda de Hercules, completely invaded by the fans of Madrid, including some radical groups, which starred in incidents especially on Feria Street.
As of 19.00, the evictions, the Fan Zone and the city center to the Cartuja that received the more than 70,000 fans with their shiny facilities after a reform in express time. From there came the show of a classic with its usual tension, and a complex exit from the stadium to hotels, floors, trains or airplanes.
It was the sixth final in Seville, the most media and economical scope. And now it remains to review the device and evaluate whether it is the closure of a cycle in Andalusia or as Juanma Moreno and José Luis San aspirez The beginning of another stage with a stadium and a city more consolidated for the end of the Copa del Rey, for the national team, for the 2030 World Cup and for any size sporting event.
