Real Madrid edge closer to title but critics remain over Saudi Arabia ‘image washing’

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Marcelino’s side will be the underdog this weekend as they sit ninth in La Liga, 21 points behind leaders Real Madrid.

Real Madrid beat Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup semi-finals. PA

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Real Madrid will chase their first trophy in Carlo Ancelotti’s second stint as manager against Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday, but criticism continues to surround the decision of the Spanish federation to organize the tournament in Saudi Arabia.

Madrid beat Barcelona 3-2 after extra time in Riyadh on Wednesday before Athletic surprised by coming from behind to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 on Thursday.

The annual competition, which includes the previous season’s La Liga top two, as well as the final Copa del Rey runners-up, is held in Saudi Arabia until 2029 under a deal that pays off to the Spanish FA football about 30 million. euros ($34.2 million) per year.

Amnesty International asked players to wear purple armbands this week to protest the treatment of women and the LGBTQ community in Saudi Arabia, a request that was ignored in the semi-finals.

“It is not too late for this gesture that we have asked the federation and the clubs participating in the Super Cup to materialize,” Amnesty International Spain director Esteban Beltran said on Thursday.

“The final will be played on Sunday and the Spanish federation still has the opportunity to publicly express its support for harassed and persecuted women in Saudi Arabia, and to work for equal rights.”

The group also criticized the federation for justifying human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia.

“The fact that the federation has decided to collaborate in this “image washing” of the Saudi authorities and that it wants the Spanish Super Cup to be played in this country until 2029 discredits this tournament and all Spanish football. “, Beltran said. Monday.

Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales claimed he was first informed of the armbands’ request by the media and accused Amnesty International of wreaking havoc in the media.

“Ethically, we do a lot here to help the development of women in football, that’s our commitment,” Rubiales told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser on Thursday.

“The rest of the political issues are outside of football.”

“Nobody thinks about the fans now”

Facing criticism from human rights groups and the worried Spanish media, the president of the Spanish football federation has defended the return of the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia as Real Madrid prepare to face Athletic Bilbao in the final. PA

Around 35,000 fans attended Wednesday’s Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona, ​​but that figure dropped to 7,000 for the game between Athletic and Atletico.

In addition to questions about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, many believe the essence of a Spanish domestic tournament is lost when played 7,000 kilometers away.

“It makes no sense to me,” Athletic’s Raul Garcia said on Wednesday. “Football has changed in the sense that nobody thinks about the fans now. What matters is making money, finding sponsors, and we forget the basics of what football is.”

Athletic had to cancel a Friday afternoon training session due to a sandstorm in Riyadh, with the team forced to return to their hotel and train in the gymnasium instead.

Marcelino’s side will be the underdog this weekend as they sit ninth in La Liga, 21 points behind leaders Real Madrid. They have already played against Madrid twice in the league and lost both times.

“We played like never before and lost like always,” Marcelino said on Thursday. “Let’s see if we are able to play at the same level and do better this time.”

Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior have been fundamental to Madrid’s success in recent months and the pair both scored against Barcelona to take their combined tally to 41 goals this season.

Benzema suffered a shoulder injury against Barca but was optimistic he would be available this weekend. Madrid needed extra time to advance though and it remains to be seen if fatigue is a factor against Athletic.

“The physical effort was huge but we kept going until the end,” said Ancelotti, who won four trophies in his first spell as Madrid manager but never won the Super Cup. Spain.

“We are tired but happy. We need to rest and prepare for the final.”

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