The La Cartuja stadium, in Seville, could finally host matches of Euro 2021. – Julio Muñoz / EFE / SIPA
The president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales, said on Friday that he will do everything to ensure that Seville is the host city of the Euro (June 11 – July 11), if Bilbao is finally sidelined by the UEFA Monday. “What is clear for us as a selection, and I would even say as a country, is that keeping a host city (in Spain) is fundamental”, announced Rubiales in an event organized in Seville on the eve of the final of the Copa del Rey between FC Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao.
“It is true that there are a series of difficulties in Bilbao, and it is above all UEFA that will decide,” recalled the president of the Spanish federation, referring to the drastic conditions imposed by the regional government. Basque to welcome the public in the San Mamés stadium during the Euro matches.
“Everything that is humanly possible” to keep matches in Spain
While showing his respect for the work done by the organizers in Bilbao, Rubiales pointed out that “the difficulties are many, UEFA has already pointed out and if that happens (that Bilbao is ruled out), it would be terrible if it went to another country ”. “I will do everything that is humanly possible so that, at the meeting of the (UEFA) executive committee next Monday, what will be decided does not harm Spain, and then La Cartuja is a magnificent place” , underlined Rubiales, with reference to the Olympic stadium in Seville.
The president of the RFEF, also vice-president of UEFA, insisted that “it is not up to us”, and argued that he will not vote if a ballot is organized on the subject. “I am doing what is humanly possible so that Spain does not lose the three group stage matches and the round of 16” which are intended to be played in Bilbao, not only for economic reasons, but also for “this What does it mean from an emotional point of view for our selection to be able to perform in front of our audience, ”concluded Rubiales.