Barcelona have warned fans that they should be “prudent and discreet” if they travel to Saudi Arabia for the Spanish Super Cup this week in an unprecedented briefing that also insists supporters “strictly respect the country’s customs and ways”.
The Spanish champions’ decision to share a long list of suggestions for foreigners in Saudi Arabia has been denounced by Human Rights Watch for not adequately safeguarding fans and highlighting the absence of a human rights structure for conducting activities in the country, which is the only bidder to host the 2034 Fifa men’s World Cup.
On the Barcelona website, the club provided guidelines for fans planning to travel to the Gulf state for the Super Cup semi-final match against Osasuna in Riyadh on Thursday night.
The FC Barcelona team and the Real Federación Española de Futbol, with guidance from the Spanish embassy in Riyadh, have created a list of safety precautions for fans traveling abroad. The recommendations include respecting local customs, being extra careful when outside of major cities, avoiding large crowds, and refraining from activities that may disrupt social harmony and public order.
The briefing cautioned LGBTQ+ supporters that there could be serious consequences for sharing their experiences on social media. It advised individuals to show respect and caution when displaying affection in public.
Engaging in inappropriate behavior, such as any sexual acts, can result in serious legal repercussions for non-citizens. Punishments may also be harsh for same-sex relationships and publicly advocating for LGBTI rights, including on social media.
Minky Worden, the director of global initiatives at Human Rights Watch, commented on the briefing’s portrayal of the difficulties of working in Saudi Arabia. She noted that there were significant omissions in the information provided, particularly regarding women fans. Worden pointed out that the briefing seemed to overlook the existence and unique needs of female fans, which is an inaccurate assumption. Additionally, she expressed concern that the Saudi guardianship system poses risks to women that were not addressed in the briefing. She also noted the lack of mention of potential risks to information security.
This notice serves as a notice that there is currently no set of human rights guidelines in place for fans, players, journalists, or any other individuals who may be traveling to Saudi Arabia for a sporting event. This is the primary issue and it is important to conduct proper research to identify potential risks that people may encounter.
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The government of Saudi Arabia has prohibited human rights groups from operating within its borders, hindering the ability to thoroughly evaluate potential risks. Despite this, the country is actively increasing its funding for various sports events, such as the World Cup and the 2029 Asian Winter Games, in order to attract more international visitors.
According to Worden, it is impossible to meet with anyone in Saudi Arabia for the purpose of conducting due diligence. This is because there is no one available to meet with, as they are all imprisoned. Additionally, simply stating that being gay is not allowed does not fulfill one’s responsibilities. This applies to heterosexual fans as well, as they should not be allowed to show affection if they win.
Source: theguardian.com
