Copa del Rey 1913: The Year of Two Parallel Tournaments
The history of Spanish football is filled with drama, but few years are as unusual as 1913. Due to deep-seated disagreements between the Federación Española de Clubs de Football (FECF)—the precursor to the modern Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF)—and several prominent clubs, the national cup was split. Instead of a single competition, two parallel tournaments were held in the same year.
One competition was deemed "official" and organized by the FECF in Madrid, while the other was an "unofficial" tournament organized by the Unión Española de Clubes de Fútbol (UECF) in Barcelona. Despite the friction of the era, both competitions are now recognized as official by the RFEF.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Key Facts
- Dual Competitions: Two separate tournaments were held in 1913 due to administrative disputes.
- FECF Winner: Racing de Irún claimed their first-ever title.
- UECF Winner: FC Barcelona secured their third title.
- Total Teams: 8 teams participated across both competitions (5 in FECF, 3 in UECF).
- Recognition: Both the FECF and UECF tournaments are currently recognized as official by the RFEF.
The Copa FECF (Federación Española de Clubs de Football)
The FECF tournament, regarded as the 12th edition of the cup, took place in Madrid between March 16 and March 23, 1913. Five teams competed in a brief but intense series of matches.
The Path to the Final
The competition opened with a preliminary round where España FC defeated Vigo FC 1–0. In the semifinals, Athletic Bilbao dominated Madrid FC with a 3–0 victory, while Racing de Irún edged out España FC 1–0.
The Final and Replay
The final match on March 22 ended in a 2–2 draw after extra time, with goals from Patricio and Manuel Retegui for Racing de Irún, and Pichichi and Belauste II for Athletic Bilbao. This deadlock forced a replay the following day at the O'Donell stadium. Racing de Irún emerged victorious with a 1–0 win, courtesy of a 70th-minute goal by Manuel Retegui, securing their first title.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]The Copa UECF (Unión Española de Clubes de Football)
Simultaneously, the UECF organized what is recognized as the 13th edition of the cup in Barcelona. While three teams were originally slated to participate, the withdrawal of Auténtico Pontevedra FC before the start shifted the format.
A Two-Legged Battle
With only FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad remaining, the organizers agreed to a two-legged final. The first leg ended in a 2–2 draw, and the second leg resulted in a 0–0 stalemate. This necessitated a play-off match to determine the champion.
The Deciding Match
In the final play-off on March 23, FC Barcelona claimed the trophy with a 2–1 victory. Goals from José Berdié and Apolinario Rodríguez secured the win, despite a penalty goal from Manuel Rezola for Real Sociedad. This victory marked the third title for FC Barcelona.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]1913 Tournament Summary
| Feature | Copa FECF | Copa UECF |
|---|---|---|
| Organizer | Federación Española de Clubs de Football | Unión Española de Clubes de Fútbol |
| Location | Madrid | Barcelona |
| Champion | Racing de Irún | FC Barcelona |
| Runner-up | Athletic Bilbao | Real Sociedad |
| Number of Teams | 5 | 3 (1 withdrew) |
| Top Scorer | Pichichi (3 goals) | Apolinario Rodríguez (2 goals) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were there two different Copa del Rey tournaments in 1913?
The split occurred due to disagreements between the Federación Española de Clubs de Football (FECF) and several football clubs, leading to the creation of a parallel competition organized by the Unión Española de Clubes de Fútbol (UECF).
Which team won the FECF tournament?
Racing de Irún won the FECF tournament, defeating Athletic Bilbao 1–0 in a replay of the final to earn their first title.
How did FC Barcelona win the UECF tournament?
After two draws against Real Sociedad in a two-legged final, FC Barcelona won a deciding play-off match 2–1.
Are both 1913 tournaments considered official today?
Yes, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) currently recognizes both the FECF and UECF competitions as official.
Who was the top scorer of the FECF competition?
Pichichi was the top scorer of the FECF tournament, netting a total of 3 goals.