Barça Femení players have spoken up against the RFEF after the federation proposed moving the Women’s Supercopa de España to Saudi Arabia.

The comments came after their Supercopa victory over Real Madrid, with the possibility of next year’s tournament being moved from home soil clouding celebrations. 

Players like Alexia Putellas and Patri Guijarro cited the country’s lack of women’s rights and misogynistic legislation as the main reasons for their disapproval, with recent events only fueling those thoughts.

Saudi Arabia has become a cash cow for football in recent years, with the men's Supercopa already making the move abroad and RFEF in talks to expand the partnership to 2034. 

The semi-finals and final were held in Jeddah earlier this month with Barcelona claiming the trophy. However, it was the aftermath of the matches that garnered the most attention and criticism. 

Following Real Madrid’s semi-final win over Mallorca, multiple wives and family members of Mallorca players reported being jeered at and sexually harassed whilst exiting the stadium. There was no protection provided by the federation, leaving them vulnerable until they reached the coach. 

With family members being treated this way, there are valid concerns over the way women’s football players will be received in Saudi Arabia. With homophobic legislation and a culture of misogyny, players are right to speak out against a deal that is purely driven by financial gain for the RFEF.

No official plans are in place to hold the next year’s Supercopa finals in Saudi Arabia, but apart from protest and vocal challenges, players are at the mercy of their federation.

The voices of players matter and deserve to be amplified. Here’s to more players coming together, speaking up and standing on business in the future.

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