Spanish Super Cup: Teams Prepare Amid Controversy

Real Madrid, Barcelona, Athletic Club, and Atletico Madrid are preparing for the Spanish Super Cup, scheduled to be held next month in Saudi Arabia. This tournament features the champions of La Liga and the Copa del Rey, along with the runners-up of both competitions, competing for the first trophy of the season. Last season, Barcelona clinched a domestic double, while Real Madrid finished as runners-up in La Liga and the Copa del Rey, allowing Atletico and Athletic Club to qualify for the Super Cup after finishing third and fourth in La Liga. The Super Cup was relocated to Saudi Arabia for the first time during the 2019-20 season when it expanded to a four-team format, and it will remain there until at least 2029.

The decision to host the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia has faced criticism, particularly from Athletic Club’s Williams, who voiced his concerns in a media interview ahead of the tournament. He stated, “For me, playing in Saudi Arabia is disappointing. Taking a national competition to another country complicates matters for fans wanting to follow the games. When we play there, it feels like we are the away team. Additionally, in the coming days, I will be a father, and traveling with my wife and son presents significant challenges.”

This is not the first time Williams has expressed his discontent regarding the tournament’s location. Following Athletic Club’s defeat by Barcelona in Saudi Arabia last year, he remarked, “It felt like an away game despite the presence of some fans. It is unfortunate that such a beautiful match took place so far from home. If the game had been held closer, our stadium would have likely been filled with our supporters. It is a shame to play hundreds of kilometers away from our fans and families. For me, it makes little sense to play in Saudi Arabia, but that is the reality of modern football.”

Last season’s Super Cup in Saudi Arabia also prompted complaints regarding the treatment of female fans. Cristina Palavra, the partner of Mallorca’s Dani Rodriguez, shared her experience with Esports IB3, stating, “We were with our children and received no security. We were approached by men taking close-up photographs and harassing us. Natalia, Dominik Greif’s wife, experienced similar discomfort. We felt disoriented as there was no protection available.”

Sergi Darder’s father, Kike, also criticized the behavior of some supporters, remarking to Marca, “No one anticipated such treatment, especially towards women, who bore the brunt of the groping and disrespect towards Mallorca fans. There were no security personnel or representatives from the RFEF (Spanish Federation) present. I have no desire to return here.”

All four teams are set to participate in La Liga this weekend before traveling to Saudi Arabia for the tournament. The Super Cup will commence on January 4th, with Athletic Club facing Barcelona, and Real Madrid going up against Atletico the following day. The final is scheduled for January 11th.