Athletic Club striker Inaki Williams has complained about the hosting of the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, claiming there is no level playing field. The Basque team lost 2-0 to Barcelona on Wednesday evening, and afterwards Williams made his feelings known.
In both semi-finals, Jeddah saw a largely one-sided crowd in favor of Barcelona and Real Madrid, while Mallorca and Athletic were reduced to a few hundred traveling fans.
“Even though we had some fans here, it was like playing far from home. It's a shame because such an attractive match like this, if it had been played closer to home, would have been filled with many of our fans.”
“It's a shame that we have to be hundreds of kilometers away from our fans and our families. For me it makes no sense for us to play in Arabia, but hey, that's how football is now. It's a shame.”
He was also confident that the CSD would grant Barcelona an order to temporarily register Dani Olmo and Pau Victor after their licenses were revoked at the January deadline.
“Like all football fans, I was surprised. It seems the rules are not the same for all of us. We are not the ones to decide, and those who do will have their reasons. But we are still very surprised.”
“It colors the image of Spanish football, because it has caused a lot of division. I'm happy for Dani Olmo and Pau Victor. It is a very difficult situation for them, all they want is to play football, so in that sense I am happy for them as a professional footballer.”
Williams' complaints were joined by frustrations from Mallorca after they were teased, taunted and harassed as they left the stadium. Family members of the Mallorca players were touched by local Real Madrid fans without their consent, and the Bermellon support were denied security between the stadium and their transport.
Comments