Spanish Embassy Reception Amidst Tensions
The Spanish embassy in Saudi Arabia traditionally hosts a reception for the Federation, participating teams, and Spanish expatriates during the Super Cup celebrations. However, this year’s event may be overshadowed by the recent controversy surrounding the presidents of Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Presidential Absence Expected
Florentino Pérez, the president of Real Madrid, is scheduled to arrive in Jeddah on Saturday night, leaving him with little time to attend the reception. Meanwhile, Joan Laporta, the president of Barcelona, is also unlikely to attend due to the fallout from his behavior during the match between Barcelona and Athletic.
Consequences of Laporta’s Actions
Laporta’s outburst, which included insults and damage to property, has raised questions about his presence at the reception. Some territorial presidents are still awaiting an apology from the Barcelona leader. Furthermore, the Federation’s suggestion of opening a file on the incident has not been well received by Laporta.
Ongoing Tensions
Despite the possibility of the presidents meeting in the box on Sunday, the ‘Olmo case’ remains a contentious issue. Real Madrid has not publicly commented on the matter, and the relationship between the two clubs appears to be cordial, according to statements from Catalan club leaders.