Sevilla FC do not yet know their opponent for the first round of the Copa del Rey. The qualifying match between CD Güímar and Sporting Hortaleza, whose winner was drawn to face the Andalusian side, was suspended on Sunday due to violent incidents before kick-off.

The match, scheduled at the Estadio Tasagaya in Güímar, never started. A delegate from Sporting Hortaleza stated that "the Sporting bus had objects thrown at it upon arrival and one of the windows was broken". Further incidents occurred near the stadium after the bus arrived, prompting referee Rafael Aguilar Prat to call off the match at 13:45. The Guardia Civil has opened an investigation.

Outcome pending

The RFEF Competition Committee must now decide the outcome of this tie, which Sporting Hortaleza led 1-0 from the first leg. Options include replaying the match behind closed doors or at a neutral venue. Meanwhile, Sevilla FC's planning for the Copa del Rey, a competition where they always have high ambitions, remains on hold.

The draw, held on Monday at the Ciudad del Fútbol in Las Rozas, paired the fifth-placed La Liga side with the winner of that preliminary tie. Sevilla manager Luis García Plaza confirmed the draw result. "The team of Luis García Plaza will face the winner of the preliminary tie between the Tenerife and Madrid sides," the coach said. The cup match is scheduled to be played between October 27 and 29, and Sevilla will have to travel to face their lower-division opponent.

League context

This uncertainty comes as the team focuses on the league. Following a 1-3 defeat to Aston Villa on October 2, Sevilla sit fifth with 13 points. Their recent form is a concern, with two consecutive losses in their last five matches. The team needs to improve its attacking efficiency, having scored only 4 goals in their last 270 minutes of La Liga play. Their next fixture is an away trip to 17th-placed Levante on October 12, a key match to maintain their position near the top of the standings. The definition of their cup rival is a pending matter the federation must resolve quickly.

The report in full is at Mundo Deportivo