BARCELONA and Real Madrid are among the teams in Saudi Arabia for this week’s Supercopa de Espana with broadcasters shunning the tournament amid controversy over human rights’ abuses.
A refreshed setup will see the La Liga giants face off with Atletico Madrid and Valencia in a knockout competition from Jeddah.
King Abdullah Sports City is hosting the three-game seriesCredit: EPA
Traditionally a one-off affair between the league and Copa del Rey champions, it was taken overseas last year with the final held in Tangier.
But the expedition to Saudi Arabia has been met with derision.
Public broadcaster RTVE refused to enter the bidding for television rights, citing the Saudi regime’s widely-criticised treatment of women.
Many have praised the channel for taking a stand with each team’s fans largely staying away too.
Scarcely ten per cent of the 12,000 available to the four clubs have been sold, according to local media.
The Supercopa has regressed into being a target of ridicule recently with TV stations Atresmedia and Mediaset also staying away from bidding – a decision announced before the venue was chosen.
The sportswash effect can be countered if influential figures are prepared to address the human rights situation.”
Amnesty International
The cost of showing the tournament was also put down as a reason behind avoiding the rights contract that was eventually taken up by Movistar.
RTVE has, in fact, previously shown a number of Middle Eastern showpieces – such as the World Athletics Championships in Qatar.
But the public broadcaster reportedly considers the Supercopa a different case given the global nature of the other competitions.
The sporting world’s sudden commitment to taking major events to the region has drawn accusations of “sportswashing” the questionable reputations and human rights’ records of host countries.
Amnesty International have also denounced the decision to play Spanish football in Arabia – deeming it “no surprise”.
A charity spokesperson stated: “Though the Saudi authorities would prefer the world to focus on the glitz and glamour of prestige events like Barca taking on Atletico, the sportswash effect can be countered if influential figures are prepared to address the human rights situation.”
Even though the Spanish FA has promised to direct profit from the expedition to women’s and grassroots football, the clubs are set to pocket as much as £8.5million apiece from the 2020 edition.
The Saudi hosts are said to be paying £34m-a-year to host the Supercopa on a three-season deal.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
