Protests grow against Super Cup

By Football Italia staff

Protests continue ahead of the Italian Super Cup between Juventus and Milan in Saudi Arabia, but Barbara Berlusconi insists “football can’t be expected to save the world.”

The decision to play the big match in Jeddah on January 16 only months after the murder of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi had already caused controversy.

That stepped up considerably after it was revealed there were men-only sections in the stadium where women would not be allowed.

A flash mob protest was staged in front of the Juventus HQ this morning by the Radicali +Europa group.

“We demand that either this game is not played in Jeddah, or at least that the players walk out with black marks on their faces in protest,” said group leader Silvio Viale.

“A month ago everyone was acting like defenders of women’s rights with a red mark on their cheek, now they are all puppets of a regime that tramples all over women’s rights on a daily basis.”

Barbara Berlusconi, former director of Milan and daughter of long-term President Silvio, had her say on the situation.

“I don’t believe this game should’ve been organised in a country where there is no respect for women, but history has taught us that boycotting sporting events makes no difference,” she told Il Fatto Quotidiano newspaper.

“This is why I consider this match an opportunity to shine a brighter light on what happens in many Islamic countries and help to break down traditions and bans that are no longer tolerable.

“It’s stunning to see almost all Western Governments pretend not to see what happens in these countries when it comes to human rights, not just for women. Instead of sanctions for their behaviour, these Governments strike commercial deals.

“When that is the global situation, football can’t be expected to save the world.”

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