Copa del Rey Doesn't want toilet-related excuses

San Mames cannot host the Copa del Rey final

Barcelona target Bernabeu final for the Copa del Rey

With Barcelona and Alaves confirmed as the two finalists for this season's Copa del Rey, the search for a suitable venue begins and former Blaugrana president Joan Gaspart has called on Real Madrid to make their position clear on the potential use of the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

He challenged his former rival Florentino Perez to openly admit that Los Blancos do not want Barcelona playing on their turf, rather than to come up with an excuse.

"I ask publicly and officially as Joan Gaspart that Real Madrid have the guts to write a letter which says they don't want it to be played at the Bernabeu," he told Ser Catalunya's 'Que t'hi Jugues' programme.

Referring to one of the previous cup finals, which was unable to be played at the largest stadium in the capital due to renovations in the lavatories, Gaspart did not shy away from urging a different approach.

"I hope no stories are invented about the toilets," he told the radio show.

The ex-president also tried to reassure Perez that a Barcelona triumph at the venue would not be as painful as he might fear.

"If what worries [Perez] is the prospect of me running onto the pitch or putting on a show like the previous time we won the Copa del Rey at the Bernabeu then he shouldn't worry," the 72-year-old said.

"I'm still a fan, but not as wild as I used to be."

Wherever the Copa del Rey final takes place, it is scheduled to be held on May 27, 2017.