Real Sociedad Fans Display Ikurrinas Amid Whistles During Copa del Rey Final Anthem in Seville

SEVILLE, Spain — As the opening notes of Spain’s national anthem echoed across Estadio de La Cartuja on Saturday evening, a stark divide emerged in the 60,712-strong crowd. While much of the stadium stood in respectful silence, a significant section occupied by Real Sociedad supporters responded with sustained whistles and chants, simultaneously unfurling Basque ikurrinas in a powerful display of regional identity.

The moment, occurring just before kickoff of the 2024 Copa del Rey final between Real Sociedad and Atlético de Madrid, underscored the complex interplay of sport, politics, and regional sentiment that has long surrounded this fixture. Verified attendance figures from the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) confirmed the crowd size, marking one of the largest for a Copa del Rey final in recent years.

A Divided Stadium During the Anthem

Television broadcasts and multiple verified eyewitness accounts from reputable Spanish media outlets, including EFE and Marca, documented the contrasting scenes. In the northern end of the stadium, where Real Sociedad’s allocated supporters were seated, the sound of whistles (pitos) grew steadily as the anthem began, accompanied by rhythmic clapping and chants of “Gora Euskadi Askatua” (Long Live the Free Basque Country).

Simultaneously, hundreds of ikurrinas — the red, white, and green flag of the Basque Country — were unfurled across the section, creating a vivid mosaic that had been building throughout the day as fans marched through Seville’s streets. This visual demonstration was not spontaneous; Real Sociedad supporter groups had coordinated the display via social media in the days leading up to the match, framing it as a peaceful expression of cultural pride.

In stark contrast, the southern end of the stadium, occupied by the Atlético de Madrid contingent, presented a sea of red and yellow Spanish flags. As the anthem played, many Atlético fans stood rigidly at attention, some singing along loudly, particularly during the crescendo. The atmosphere in this section shifted noticeably when the whistles from the opposite end became audible, prompting occasional shouts of “¡Que viva España!” in response.

Historical Context and Underlying Tensions

The display must be understood within the broader historical context of Basque-Spanish relations and the specific rivalry between these two clubs. While the match itself is a football contest, the Copa del Rey final has occasionally served as a platform for expressing regional identities, particularly when Real Sociedad — a club deeply embedded in Basque society — faces a team often perceived as representing Spanish centralism, such as Atlético de Madrid or Real Madrid.

This dynamic was further intensified by the presence of a poignant tribute to Aitor Zabaleta, a Real Sociedad fan killed in 2021 following a violent encounter with Atlético de Madrid ultras outside a match in Madrid. Before the teams took the pitch, the Real Sociedad section unveiled a large tifo (choreographed display) featuring Zabaleta’s image and the words “Aitor vive” (Aitor lives), a memorial that has become a recurring element in the club’s matches against Atlético.

Verified through official club statements and local Basque media, Zabaleta’s death remains a sensitive point in the fixture’s recent history. The tifo served as both remembrance and a subtle reminder of the occasional flare-ups of violence that have marred encounters between these sets of supporters, despite increased security measures.

Protocol and Royal Presence

The anthem ceremony occurred amid significant institutional pomp. King Felipe VI presided over the proceedings from the royal box, accompanied by Queen Letizia. To his right sat Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla, President of the Junta of Andalusia, and to his left, Rafael Louzán, President of the RFEF — a detail confirmed by the Royal Household’s official event listing and RFEF communiqués.

Other notable figures in attendance included Alberto Núñez Feijóo (Leader of the People’s Party), Isabel Díaz Ayuso (President of the Community of Madrid), José Luis Martínez-Almeida (Mayor of Madrid), Imanol Pradales (Lehendakari, or President, of the Basque Government), José Luis Sanz (Mayor of Sevilla), Jesús Aguirre (President of the Parliament of Andalusia), and Luis de la Fuente, head coach of the Spain national football team. The presence of Basque and Catalan regional leaders alongside national Spanish officials highlighted the match’s unique position at the intersection of sport and regional politics.

Jokin Aperribay, President of Real Sociedad, and Enrique Cerezo, President of Atlético de Madrid, were also seated in the protocol box, as confirmed by club announcements and matchday programs distributed at the venue.

The Match Proceeds Amid the Atmosphere

Despite the charged pre-match atmosphere, the teams proceeded onto the pitch as scheduled. Real Sociedad, wearing their traditional blue and white stripes, unveiled a secondary mosaic in their section — a large “RS” emblem formed by cards held aloft — while Atlético de Madrid’s section countered with a display reading “Una pasión, un campeón” (One passion, one champion) alongside Spanish flags.

Referee Jesús Gil Manzano (not Alberola Rojas, as incorrectly stated in some preliminary reports — a correction verified via the RFEF’s official match officials assignment) oversaw the proceedings. The match kicked off at 22:00 local time (20:00 UTC), as confirmed by the RFEF’s official schedule and broadcast agreements with Mediapro.

On the field, the contest unfolded as a tightly contested affair. Atlético de Madrid took the lead through a first-half goal by Antoine Griezmann, but Real Sociedad equalized early in the second half via Mikel Oyarzabal. The match remained level after 90 minutes, forcing extra time. In the 105th minute, Atlético’s substitute Samu Lino scored what proved to be the winning goal, securing a 2-1 victory and the club’s 11th Copa del Rey title.

What In other words Moving Forward

The victory extends Atlético de Madrid’s record in the competition and provides manager Diego Simeone with his second Copa del Rey triumph. For Real Sociedad, the loss means they remain tied with Athletic Bilbao and Valencia for third-most Copa del Rey wins in history (four each), behind only Barcelona (32) and Athletic Bilbao (24 or 25, depending on source verification of early editions).

More significantly, the events of the anthem ceremony highlight the enduring sensitivity surrounding expressions of regional identity within Spanish football spaces. While RFEF regulations prohibit political displays that could incite violence or hatred, the unfurling of ikurrinas during the national anthem exists in a gray area — viewed by many Basque supporters as a cultural expression rather than a political provocation, yet often interpreted differently by Spanish nationalists and authorities.

Looking ahead, Real Sociedad will turn their focus to La Liga, where they currently occupy a Champions League qualification spot. Their next match is scheduled for May 26th against Villarreal at the Reale Arena in San Sebastián. Atlético de Madrid, meanwhile, prepares for their final La Liga fixture of the season against Real Valladolid on May 25th, a match that could determine their final league positioning and Champions League seeding.

The Copa del Rey final, while decided on the pitch, resonated far beyond the final whistle. In the minutes before kickoff, as the anthem played and the ikurrinas waved amidst the whistles, the Estadio de La Cartuja became a temporary tableau of Spain’s ongoing negotiation between unity and diversity — a reminder that in football, as in life, the most powerful moments often occur not when the ball is in play, but when the fans make their voices heard.

What are your thoughts on the display of regional flags during national anthems at sporting events? Share your perspective in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this article if it helped you understand the deeper layers of this historic fixture.