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A direct question:

-See the arguments of the Federation, it seems that the Spanish Super Cup is going to be played in Saudi Arabia to improve the social situation of women there.

An equally direct response:

-We don't go there 'for', but since we go there ...

The answer comes from a Federation source that asks for anonymity and can be translated like this: "We don't go there 'to' improve the social situation of women, but since we go there, we will work to improve the social situation of women women".

All right. So, the following question is easy: Why does Spain go to Saudi Arabia, a country that does not respect human rights, to play the Super Cup? In this case, the answer is no longer as direct, but it is not necessary. Behind the change of format, the need to revitalize the competition, the agreement of the clubs and even how beneficial it is for the calendar, the reason is purely economic: the Federation will enter 120 million euros because the tournament is held in that country for the next three years.

In an intelligent communication policy, the Federation took pains to focus on the "consequences" of the agreement, not on the "motivations" of the agreement. Luis Rubiales gave him a voice during the draw. «Men and women will attend the stadium on an equal basis, that on the one hand. On the other hand, the agreement includes that the Federation will guard and supervise the creation of a domestic women's competition in the country, ”explained the president. Beside him, smiling, the representative of the Saudi Government, Prince Abdullaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, who also asked for the floor. « Our country is transforming, and we invite the world to know our culture, our customs . This agreement is part of a process in which sport serves to change things, to improve people's quality of life, ”he argued.

Other sporting events

Rubiales insisted on those arguments throughout the day, although others left from the offices of the Federation. For example, the fact that the Spanish Super Cup is just one of the many sporting events held in Arabia. Without going any further, the next Dakar Rally, which begins on January 5, runs in the country . "And nobody criticizes Alonso for participating," they whisper - here the whispers begin, not public statements - from the Federation. They will also go to play in December, although outside the guardianship of the ATP, players like Wawrinka or Medvedev a tournament. There is boxing, Formula E ...

More reasons: according to data from the Institute of Foreign Trade of May 2018, 36 companies, including all the major Spanish construction companies, are headquartered in Arabia . These companies are part of the consortiums that carry out some of the country's major projects (the AVE to Mecca, subway lines in Riyadh, etc ...) and, according to sources in the business sector, the turnover of the Spanish companies there are around 15,000 million euros.

"Bilateral Relations"

The last reason they slip into the City of Soccer is that, precisely because of these business interests, they have received winks from the Government of Pedro Sánchez applauding the initiative, which would thus contribute to the consolidation of bilateral relations held by the main structures of the State. Without going any further, in the document of the Office of Diplomatic Information (under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) concerning Saudi Arabia, in the section "Bilateral relations", it can be read: " HM the King has traditionally been a great asset of Spain's relations with this country ; proof of this was the preferential treatment given to our monarch during his official visit to Riyadh in 2017 ». It refers to Felipe VI, although it is difficult to avoid the capital role played by King Emeritus.

In summary, the Federation does not deny the violation of fundamental rights in the country while trying to soften the decision. According to Rubiales, there is a double measuring stick. Of course, the thing refers, now publicly, to Mediapro. "He had a lot of business there in the past," he said Monday. And now, another classic: LaLiga, Tebas and Villarreal-Atlético that wants to play in Miami. The response of the Federation is that FIFA only allows a tournament to play outside the borders of a country. Which? Bingo! The Super Cups

Finally, the money: despite stealth, bound by a confidentiality agreement, the fixed for clubs is as follows: 6 million for Barcelona and Real Madrid, 3 for Atlético and 2 for Valencia, which disagrees and will go to arbitration to try to charge more. The two finalists will enter a million more .

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • sports
  • football
  • Luis Rubiales
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Spain Supercup
  • Real Madrid

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