The Boss offers perfect excuse for Real Madrid

Rock star Bruce Springsteen has given Real Madrid the perfect excuse to not offer their Santiago Bernabeu Stadium as a venue for this year's final of the King's Cup knockout tournament between FC Barcelona and Sevilla.

Both of the finalists have indicated that because of its position midway between both cities and its 80,000 capacity, the Bernabeu would be the perfect venue to allow the maximum number of fans to watch the game.

However, just as happened in 2013 and last season when FC Barcelona played Athletic Club Bilbao in the final, Real Madrid have not offered their ground because the club do not want to see their bitter rivals Barcelona, win a trophy on their 'hallowed turf'.

In 2013 the club offered the excuse that one of the toilets on the Bernabeu needed renovating, while last year they didn't even bother to offer any reason for not offering their ground for a final which ended up being played in Barcelona.

Last Saturday's home game against Athletic Club Bilbao saw sections of the home fans singing "The Cup final will not be played here," and now Springsteen has given the club the perfect get-out clause.

Although no date has been officially set for the final, it is expected to be played on May 22nd, but the confirmation that Springsteen with play a concert in the Stadium on May 21 means it cannot be used for both events and Atletico Madrid' s Vicente Calderon Stadium, which has a capacity of 55,000, will be the probable venue for the final.

Springsteen, nicknamed "The Boss", will play three concerts in Spain, starting in Barcelona's Camp Nou Stadium on May 14th, before moving on to San Sebastian on May 17th and Madrid four days later.

Real Madrid were expelled from this season's Cup after fielding an illegible player, Denis Cheryshev in their opening round tie against Cadiz. Endit