Friends and family of Mallorca players were 'hindered', 'laughed at' and 'touched without consent' by a group of men in Saudi Arabia after the Super Cup semi-final against Real Madrid in Jeddah, it has been claimed.
Cristina Palavra, the wife of Mallorca midfielder Dani Rodriguez, denounced the harassment she and some of the team's supporters suffered at King Abdullah Sports City on Thursday.
She alleged that the beatings continued as they left the premises, with security minimal for the contingent supporting Jagoba Arrasate's side.
A Mallorca fan in attendance claimed they were mocked by a group of men in the stands and had their photos taken without their consent. The most serious allegation, however, was that women were also touched without their consent during the ordeal.
'The departure was a bit complicated. We went with the kids and there was no security,” Palavra told Spanish outlet 7 Esports IB3. “The truth is that the boys from this country started taking pictures of us at close range and harassing us. Also Natali, wife of Dominik Greif.
'We went as a group, all together with the organization and all, but we had no choice. We got to the bus as best we could, that's how it is.'
A Mallorca supporter who claimed to have witnessed the incident told Spanish program El Partidazo de COPE: 'There were very few Real Mallorca fans and they did not take care of us or protect us. They mixed us with the fans from there… and during the whole match many of them harassed us, laughed at us, harassed and provoked children and elderly people.
'It was very unpleasant, but worst of all was that at the end of the match, on the way from the stands to the bus, hundreds of people harassed us and lined us up.
“They took pictures of us without permission, hitting us on the back of the head… It was very unpleasant, but the worst thing was what the women suffered. They were moved. They were photographed without permission… Yes… moved.'
There is currently no word from the club on the matter. The Spanish Super Cup has been held in Saudi Arabia since 2020 after the Spanish Football Federation signed an agreement with the Middle Eastern country.
The decision, similar to that of the Italian federation's deal for the Supercoppa de Italia, has long been criticized by fans and players.
Athletic Club star Inaki Williams has hit out at the competition which sees four teams travel to the country to compete for the first trophy of the campaign.
“It was like playing away today even though there were a few fans there,” he said. 'It's a shame that such a great match was played so far away because I think if the match had been played closer the stadium would have been filled with many of our fans.
“It's a shame that we have to be hundreds of miles away from our fans and our families. For me it makes no sense to play here in Saudi Arabia, but that's how football works these days.'
On Thursday, Madrid advanced to the final of the competition after a 3-0 win over Mallorca. Goals from Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo and an own goal from Martin Valjent ensure that Carlo Ancelotti's team will take on Barcelona in Sunday's showpiece.
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