Perez: Bernabeu cannot host Copa del Rey final due to construction

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez says the Santiago Bernabeu cannot play host to the 2017 Copa del Rey final between Barcelona and first-timer CD Alaves on May 27 as the stadium is undergoing work at that time.

Madrid's arch-rival Barcelona will appear in its fourth consecutive Copa del Rey final this year, but the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has yet to assign a venue for the match.

"The Copa final cannot be played at the Bernabeu because there is work going on," Perez told reporters, as quoted by ESPN FC by way of Marca. "Anyway, are there no other issues?"

Alaves is contesting the Copa del Rey final for the first time in its 96-year history and the club has reportedly asked that the nearby San Mames stadium - home of Athletic Bilbao - be considered to host. But that particular venue is hosting a Guns N' Roses concert three days later, complicating the matter.

Last year, the final was held at the Vicente Calderon Stadium, home of Atletico Madrid, where Barcelona defeated Sevilla 2-0. The last time the tournament final was held at the Bernabeu was in 2013, where Atletico defeated rival Real Madrid 2-1 in extra time.