Barcelona v Athletic Bilbao: Bernabau will not host the 2012 Copa Del Rey Final

League leaders Real Madrid have made their discontent clear and went public about the plans to hold the Copa del Rey Final at their home ground. Even with requests from the Basque side to still hold the game there, officials have backed Madrid's decision.

Florentino Perez spoke to the football federation and declared that Real Madrid have made their decision.

"Madrid has declared themselves and it's been ruled out. Florentino spoke to the federation and he has transmitted his decision. As club employees have said, it cannot be." said Villar on Radio Nacional de Espana.

There have been a number of stadiums considered to host the final, such as Valencia’s Metsalla Stadium and Seville’s la Cartuja, but the decision was made to hold the Final at The Vincente Calderon. Sevilla’s home ground was ruled out due to the enormous distance between them and both Bilbao and Barca.

The Vincente Calderon is Athletico Madrid’s home ground: It holds 54,841 people, which is significantly less than their fierce Rivals Real’s ground.

The club has promised the pitch will be in perfect condition when the final comes around despite a Coldplay concert being played there only five days prior to the event.

The Copa del Rey final between Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao is scheduled for May 25.