Saudi Arabia Secures Spanish Super Cup Bonanza With Extended Agreement
A Lucrative Deal for Both Parties
In a deal that has raised eyebrows across the football world, Saudi Arabia has extended its contract to host the Spanish Super Cup until 2029. The annual tournament, which features the winners of La Liga, Copa del Rey, and two other top-flight teams, will continue to be played in the Kingdom for the foreseeable future.
The agreement is a major coup for Saudi Arabia, which has been investing heavily in sports as part of its Vision 2030 economic diversification plan. Hosting the Super Cup gives the country a global platform to showcase its sporting credentials and attract international tourists.
For the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), the deal is a welcome revenue stream at a time when clubs are struggling financially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The RFEF is reportedly receiving around €30 million per year from Saudi Arabia, which is significantly more than it received from previous hosts China and Morocco.
Reaction: Mixed Responses
The agreement has been met with mixed reactions. Some football fans have welcomed the move, arguing that it will help to globalize the sport and expose it to new audiences. Others have criticized the deal, citing Saudi Arabia's poor human rights record and its alleged involvement in sportswashing.
Amnesty International released a statement expressing concern about the deal, saying that it "risks being used to whitewash Saudi Arabia's image abroad." Human Rights Watch has also criticized the agreement, arguing that it "sends the wrong message about Saudi Arabia's human rights record."
Saudi Arabia's Sportswashing Agenda
The Saudi Arabian government has been accused of using sport to whitewash its human rights record, particularly in relation to its treatment of women, migrants, and the LGBTQ community. The country has hosted several high-profile sporting events in recent years, including the Dakar Rally, the Formula E championship, and the LIV Golf tour.
Critics argue that these events are designed to distract from the country's human rights abuses and create a positive image of Saudi Arabia on the global stage. The Spanish Super Cup agreement has been seen as another example of this strategy.
Conclusion
The extension of the Saudi Arabia-Spanish Super Cup agreement is a significant development that has sparked both praise and criticism. The deal gives Saudi Arabia a major platform to showcase its sporting credentials, while also providing a much-needed revenue stream for the RFEF.
However, the agreement has also raised concerns about Saudi Arabia's human rights record and its alleged use of sport for whitewashing purposes. It remains to be seen whether the deal will ultimately help or hinder Saudi Arabia's efforts to improve its international reputation.
