Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has defended the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) following the collapse of the Finalissima match against Argentina, insisting the team was fully prepared to play despite the event’s failure. The match, intended to pit European champions Spain against world champions Argentina, never took place despite months of planning. De la Fuente addressed the controversy at a press conference ahead of the international break, clarifying his stance and refuting claims that the RFEF or UEFA were responsible for the breakdown. De la Fuente emphasized that Spain’s intention to participate in the Finalissima was clear from the start. “I’ve always said we wanted to play,” he stated, adding that the RFEF was equally committed to the fixture. He criticized the notion that the match was canceled due to lack of preparation, asserting that the plans were well advanced, including staging the game in Doha. “Two can’t play if one doesn’t want to,” he said, pointing to Argentina’s alleged reluctance as the primary issue. The South American team and CONMEBOL had previously accused UEFA and the RFEF of failing to meet logistical demands, but De la Fuente dismissed these claims. The coach also highlighted the significance of the match beyond prestige, framing it as a crucial opportunity to prepare for the upcoming World Cup. “It was a unique match,” he said, noting that Spain’s squad had not trained together since November. He stressed that the game would have allowed the team to test its readiness against a top-tier opponent, a chance they were eager to seize. Despite the cancellation, De la Fuente remained focused on the immediate goals, stating that the loss of the fixture did not alter his approach to the upcoming friendlies.#finalissima #uefa #luis_de_la_fuente #conmebol #royal_spanish_football_federation
Resale surges for Spain v Serbia at La Cerámica as prices hit 100 euros The resale market for tickets to Spain’s friendly match against Serbia at Estadio de la Cerámica has seen significant activity, with prices reaching up to 100 euros as the game approaches. According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) opened ticket sales on Monday after the Finalissima tournament was suspended, just four days before the match. This led to long queues and system crashes, with each user allowed to purchase a maximum of six tickets. Despite new batches of tickets being released and some official seats remaining for Thursday and Friday without special offers, many fans have turned to secondary market platforms. However, buying through unofficial channels carries risks such as fraud, duplicate tickets, and lack of guarantees. Resale listings typically range from 50 to 100 euros, surpassing some official ticket prices. For example, one listing asks for 100 euros in the South Stand, while another seeks 65 euros for six tickets together. Other offers include four tickets at 50 euros, with some sellers citing accidental purchases or advertising on platforms like X. The financial incentive for reselling is clear. A fan who bought six tickets at the official price of 12 euros would spend 72 euros, while reselling them at 60 euros each could yield 360 euros, resulting in a profit of 288 euros. With Spain set to face Serbia in Vila-real ahead of the 2026 World Cup, demand for tickets has spiked, allowing the parallel market to capitalize on the situation. As the match date nears, more resale listings are expected to appear. Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo#2026_world_cup #royal_spanish_football_federation #estadio_de_la_ceramica #el_periodico_mediterraneo #south_stand
