Saudi Arabia: Disastrous attendance at Italian Super Cup

22.01.2024 12:57 source: StadiumDB.com; author: Paulina Skóra

In this season, the Italian Football Federation followed in the footsteps of the Spanish and modified the format of the Super Cup. A system with four teams was introduced, and the tournament itself was moved to Saudi Arabia. However, not everything went according to plans, or rather, dreams for the Italians.

Super Cup semifinal with empty stands

On January 18, at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh, which can accommodate 25,000 people, the match between Napoli and Fiorentina took place. However, the stands were virtually empty. Italian journalist Tancredi Palmeri bluntly stated that two-thirds of the venue were deserted. Although initial estimates suggested that there were not even 3,000 fans in the stands, the Italian Eurosport editorial reports that precisely 9,762 people watched the match. Fireworks illuminated the stadium, but what was seen in the stands was sad. There was a lack of the characteristic hum of fans, their chants, and shouts. There were no flags, scarves, or banners. Just silence, interrupted only by applause that vanished in the emptiness of the Arabian night, write journalists from Naples.

Al-Awwal Park © Roshn Saudi League

Saudis wanted different teams

The reasons for this situation can be mainly attributed to the choice of Saudi Arabia as the tournament host. This idea sparked controversy from the moment it was announced. Some also believe that the Thursday match could not attract fans due to the fact that both clubs are not popular in the Middle East. Reporters from Saudi Arabia reported that the local community regretted not being able to see teams like Juventus Turin or AC Milan.

Europe doesn't learn from its mistakes?

All of this once again raises the question of the validity of organizing cups important to European fans outside its borders. Unfortunately, it seems that European federations do not learn from their mistakes. In recent days, there have been reports in the Portuguese media that football authorities there are considering organizing the Final Four of the League Cup in the Middle East.