'It makes no sense to play in Saudi Arabia' - Inaki Williams left furious with decision to play Spanish Super Cup semi-final in Middle East after Athletic Club beaten by Barcelona

The Spanish Super Cup has been held in Saudi Arabia since 2020, barring the COVID-affected 2020-21 season, after the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) signed a deal with the Middle Eastern country, similar to the Italian football federation's deal for the Supercoppa de Italia. The Spanish Super Cup has been converted into a mid-season tournament with four teams competing instead of two.

Athletic Club have participated in the new-format Spanish Super Cup thrice in six years. The Spanish Super Cup's new format has previously been criticised by a number of players due to the added workload of having to travel to Saudi Arabia, and after the Basque side's 2-0 loss to Barcelona in Riyadh, Williams criticized the RFEF's insistence to play in the Middle East.

Speaking to the media, Williams said: "It was like playing away today even though there were a few fans. It's a shame that such a beautiful match was played so far away because I think that if it had been played closer, the stadium would have been filled with many of our fans.

"It's a shame that we have to play hundreds of kilometres away from our fans and our families. For me, it makes no sense to play here in Saudi Arabia, but that's how football works today."

With a deal to host the Spanish Super Cup already in place, the likelihood of the venue changing over the next two years seems highly unlikely regardless of players' opinions regarding Saudi Arabia hosting the prestigious tournament.