Following last Thursday’s Supercopa de España semifinal match between Real Club Deportivo Mallorca and Real Madrid in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the government has complained to the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) about the “serious incidents” that Real Club Deportivo Mallorca supporters, especially women, experienced.

The Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sports, Jaume Bauzà, made this point clear in a letter to Rafael Louzán, the president of the RFEF, asking him to reevaluate Saudi Arabia’s eligibility as the competition’s host.

Bauzà, a fan, the Government’s Sports representative, and a strong advocate for women’s rights, said, “I feel obliged to express my complaint regarding the serious incidents that occurred upon leaving the stadium after the semifinal match, which I am aware were repeated at other games.” He was a club-invited guest who went to the game.

In keeping with the opinions of Mallorca supporters, including several players’ spouses, Bauzà highlighted that women in particular “literally feared for their safety due to a local fanbase that disregarded basic norms of coexistence and decency.”

“They failed to prevent and halt these physical and verbal assaults,” he said, criticizing the security procedures. Our little fan base was subjected to constant harassment, groping, photography, filming, and denigration.

According to the government, these instances need to force the RFEF to reevaluate the “suitability of the chosen host country” for upcoming competitions.

As Bauzà stated, “I believe that just as important as the profitability and visibility of events is the safety and dignity of the teams and fans who dedicatedly support their clubs.”

He also expressed to Louzán his hope that his letter will be the impetus for a “significant shift that restores hope and tranquility to fans, teams, and institutions in future contests,” claiming that sport is a model for millions of people who “deserve the best example.”