Harassment Scandal Shakes Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia

Watan–A harassment scandal at Saudi Arabian stadiums made headlines in Spanish and global media after the wives of Real Mallorca players and Spanish female fans were harassed while attending the semi-final of the Spanish Super Cup between their team and Real Madrid, held at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.

Victims’ testimonies revealed shocking violations, including verbal and physical harassment, filming without consent, and the lack of necessary security measures to protect them.

Cristina Palafra, wife of Mallorca player Dani Rodríguez, confirmed that Saudi fans approached them suspiciously and filmed them up close without permission, causing fear and confusion among the women and children. She also added that physical harassment was part of the ordeal, as no one could intervene to help due to the chaos and absence of security in the area designated for players’ families. Her husband, Dani Rodríguez, expressed his anger over the incident, emphasizing that what happened was unacceptable, and that the Spanish Football Federation is responsible for choosing Saudi Arabia to host the tournament without ensuring fan protection.

Natalia Kaluzova, wife of Mallorca goalkeeper Dominik Greif, shared similar details about her group facing harassment from Saudi fans, including forced filming, pushing, and verbal abuse. Testimonies from Spanish fans present at the event confirmed the same account, describing the situation as “uncomfortable and dangerous” for the women in the stands.

The incident sparked widespread anger in Spain, with human rights organizations and the Spanish Fan Association demanding that the Spanish Football Federation stop hosting the Super Cup in Saudi Arabia. They warned that the continuation of such events could damage the Federation’s reputation and put it in an embarrassing position in front of the international community.

This scandal comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is preparing to host the 2034 World Cup, raising questions about its ability to secure major sports events, especially with repeated human rights violations and freedom restrictions in the kingdom. As calls for an investigation into the incident grow, the question remains: will this scandal affect Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup?