The Government harshly criticizes Barça for its recommendations in Saudi Arabia: “They are a scandal”

2024-01-10 11:57:11

The Councilor for Equality and Feminisms, Tània Verge, has criticized the recommendations that FC Barcelona has sent to members traveling to Riyadh for the Spanish Super Cup, and which include avoiding demonstrations of affection or even signs of support for the LGTBI community.

“These recommendations are a scandal and go against the values ​​of the club and Catalan society,” Verge expressed through the social network X (formerly Twitter). Some guidelines that the club created following the instructions of the Spanish embassy in Riyadh.

These recommendations are a scandal and go against the values ​​of the club and Catalan society

Rubiales’ decision to take this competition to Saudi Arabia, a country that does not respect LGBTI and women’s rights, was, is and will be a shame that must be reversed https://t.co/Otys3LMl4p

— Tània Verge Mestre (@taniaverge) January 9, 2024

“It is recommended to have respect and prudence in public behavior and displays of affection. Indecent behavior, including any act of a sexual nature, could have legal consequences,” the recommendations point out to those who travel to Saudi Arabia to watch the competition between others on individual safety and against alcohol and drug consumption.

“Relationships between people of the same sex and displays of support for the LGBTI+ community, including on social networks, may also be grounds for sanctions,” they added in the statement. In Saudi Arabia, tweeting in favor of women or the LGTBI+ cause is punishable by up to 34 years in prison, as is the case of activist Salma al Shebab.

“A shame to reverse”

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“Rubiales’ decision to take this competition to Saudi Arabia, country that does not respect LGTBI+ and women’s rights, has been, is and will be a shame to reverse”, said the counselor. It will be the fourth Super Cup held in the Asian country, at a rate of 40 million euros per edition until 2029.

Also from the Observatory against Homophobia (OCH) of Catalonia they have shown through social networks their “absolute rejection” to the decision of FC Barcelona to play the Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, a country that violates the rights and freedoms of women and LGBTI people.