Spanish Super Cup Match In Saudi Arabia Causes Problems, High Harassment Rate

JAKARTA - All Spanish Super Cup (Supercopa de Espana) 2025 matches will be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on January 8-12, 2025.

The match featured four teams consisting of La Liga champions and runners-up as well as the Copa del Rey for the 2023/2024 season.

The four teams are Athletic Bilbao ( Copa del Rey champion), Real Madrid (La Liga champion), Mallorca (runner-up Copa del Rey), and Barcelona (Runner-up La Liga).

The tournament uses a knockout system, in which the four teams meet directly in the semifinals. The semifinals have been held on January 8 and 9, 2025, western Indonesia time.

Barcelona secured the ticket first after overthrowing Athletic Bilbao 2-0. Real Madrid followed later after beating Mallorca 3-0.

As a result, the Spanish Super Cup final on January 12, 2025 local time will be titled El Clasico which brings together the two teams full of rivalry.

However, Saudi Arabia's selection as the host turned out to cause problems. The security system is considered bad.

The complaint arose when a member of the Mallorca player's family admitted to being abused by supporters.

After the match, a number of Mallorca supporters, including the player's family, said they had been harassed while leaving King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on their way to their bus.

Mallorca immediately criticized the security measures in Jeddah.

"It's a complicated situation. It shouldn't happen at a football stadium, anywhere."

"The fans must be protected. There need to be security measures, the authorities must control them."

"Especially in this case, when we are almost like away fans, there must be security so that nothing happens. Some of the players' families are harassed."

"I have spoken with the Federation (Spanish Football/RFEF) on the matter. We filed a complaint so that action can be taken."

"They said they would take immediate action and analyze what happened. So, this doesn't happen again," Alfonso Diaz, CEO of Mallorca, told reporters on Friday, January 10, 2025.

The RFEF also confirmed that it would coordinate with all parties, especially the host of Saudi Arabia regarding the incident.

"RFEF security is starting to work immediately, coordinating with all parties, and talking to those involved," said a spokesman for the RFEF.

Meanwhile, in the semifinals between Real Madrid vs Mallorca, the majority of the spectators inside the 62,000 stadium supported Los Blancos. Then, one block at the bottom level accommodates dozens of Mallorca fans, including the player's family.

"Beyoking (the stadium) is difficult. We are with our children. There is no security. People talk about our photos, they harass us."

"We feel uncomfortable, no one protects us", Mallorca player Dani Rodriguez told Esports IB3.

"Embarrassing! You go to enjoy the game with your family. Where is the organization? Not everything about money!" Rodriguez wrote on Instagram.

The Spanish Super Cup match in Saudi Arabia clearly needs to be evaluated. Incidents of harassment should be a serious concern.

Rodriguez's comments reopened the RFEF defects that moved the tournament to Saudi Arabia for money.

The Spanish Super Cup has been held in Saudi Arabia since 2020 - when its format was changed, to a four-team tournament in the middle of the season - as part of a long-term deal that is profitable for the RFEF.