Miguel Cardenal
Secretary of State for Sports, defended the proposed sanctions raised by the Commission against Violence in Sports for the incidents that occurred in the Copa del Rey Athletic-Barcelona final, in which the Spanish national anthem was jeered.
The perpetrators:
"These are sanction proposals for the organizers of an event that is reckless and should be avoided by all means."
Closure of the stadium:
"It was a possibility contemplated by the law, but during the extensive debate we had, no one at the table requested it."
The proposal:
"It is neither extraordinary nor exemplary. It is a rigorous and strict implementation. In 2015, there have been 152 similar proposals for serious infractions. There could have been very serious incidents due to the violence that they entail. It is completely unfortunate to gather tens of thousands of people in one place and include a debatable element that generates tension and could have led to significant incidents."
The jeering:
"Millions of Spaniards saw how important symbols for them were offended, as happened to tens of thousands of people inside the stadium."
Francisco Martínez
Secretary of State for Security, commented: "We must preserve extradeportive elements that may pose a risk or promote tension."