Atletico boss Diego Simeone slams Spanish Federation for not respecting the fans

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone is angry that the Spanish Federation has turned down the request to move a fixture to allow for more rest.

Atletico face Real Madrid on Sunday night, then only have two days to prepare for the Copa del Rey semi-final clash with Athletic Club on Wednesday.

Simeone was hoping to see the football authorities approve a move to Thursday to give his players an extra day's rest, but it was not to be.

"I interpret it as a fan. They don't respect them," Simeone said of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).

"It's not that they don't respect Atletico, but rather the fan, because it was already known before playing against Sevilla that it was going to happen, and Athletic or Barcelona were going to play at the weekend. 

"If in such an important semi-final for Spain, the Federation decides that a team has 48 more hours to prepare, it seems unfair to me. 

"One day is understandable, but what is the difference between us playing on Wednesday or Thursday? None. They don't want to change it, I consider it, a lack of respect for our fans. 

"That does not mean to say that we will win or not, it will not be determined by of that, but because of a question of respect and the Atletico fan who wants his players to arrive in the best shape. If one team has five days and another three, I get angry."

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