Mediapro latest to reject bid for Saudi-hosted Supercopa

No Spanish broadcaster has bid for rights to the Supercopa club football competition following the decision of the  the Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF), the governing body of Spanish football, to relocate the competition to Saudi Arabia. 

The RFEF has struck a lucrative three year deal to have the tournament hosted in Saudi Arabia, with the first edition to be held in Jeddah in January next year. 

The decision by broadcaster and producer Mediapro, which is already in conflict with the RFEF on multiple fronts, not to bid for rights to the competition means that no Spanish broadcaster will be airing the Supercopa. 

Mediapro made its decision public on the El Golazo de la Manaña programme on its Gol TV channel, citing human rights concerns. 

Public broadcaster RTVE had already stated it would not bid for the rights, while commercial players Atresmedia and Mediaset España were reported to have decided not to bid on the grounds that the competition was not a priority and the rights were likely to be unprofitable. 

Luis Rubiales, president of the RFEF, has continued to defend the controversial deal, which will see top clubs Barcelona Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Valencia compete in the Middle Eastern country. Rubiales said the the competition could play a part in helping with the transformation of the country and dismissed human rights concerns.