This sequence began as a burst of happiness but soon strained relations with the local authorities. Duero Cranberry and his team faced a tense period as discussions about the Copa del Rey round of 32 match between the Arandina club and Real Madrid kicked off after the draw was announced on December 12. From the outset, differing perspectives and competing priorities between the club and municipal officials set the tone for a challenging negotiation period that unfolded while the event was being prepared.
The tension escalated to the point where Arandina posted a public statement on social media on Friday, calling for the designation of a new point of contact to oversee the actions necessary to organize the Copa del Rey game. The announcement cited serious allegations directed at Mayor Antonio Linaje in connection with a telephone exchange involving Arandina’s secretary the previous afternoon, as reported by the EFE news agency. According to those reports, the mayor endured a number of spoken insults during the call.
Arandina’s secretary rejected the accusations and any insults in a firm response. Despite the dispute, the matter appeared to be moving toward resolution, with officials seeking a way to restore smoother dialogue and operations around the upcoming match.
Even with these developments, the club maintained its position about maintaining institutional respect. It stated that the municipal institution had always been treated with deference and that the serious public claims against Antonio Linaje and the impact on the club’s regular activities warranted a change in the interlocutor. The club expressed a desire to appoint a new representative who could begin the preparatory work for the event in collaboration with both the Arandina mayor and the sports authorities. Reports note that relations with a key council member, Belén Esteban, had become strained as a result of the controversy, complicating ongoing coordination. This friction underscored the broader challenges of aligning club operations with civic governance during a high-stakes national competition.
Observers emphasize that the situation illustrates the delicate balance sports organizations must strike when interacting with local government during major fixtures. Negotiations around scheduling, security, venue logistics, and community impact require clear leadership and constructive dialogue. The outcome of these discussions will influence not only the immediate preparations for the Copa del Rey match but also the future dynamics between Arandina and the municipal administration as they navigate the responsibilities of hosting a high-profile event in the region. In the end, the parties appear intent on finding workable arrangements that respect both the club’s competitive ambitions and the city’s governance standards, with goodwill and practical cooperation seen as essential moving forward. (Fuente: EFE)