This season's Spanish Super Cup will not be played in Saudi Arabia due the coronavirus pandemic, according to a newspaper report.
The Spanish football federation (RFEF) agreed a three-year deal worth a reported €120 million ($145 million) with the Saudi General Sport Authority (GSA) in 2019 to host matches in the Kingdom.
Real Madrid were crowned champions of the first edition of the four-team competition held in Jeddah in January, which also featured Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Valencia.
El Pais newspaper reported, however, that Saudi Arabia did not wish to hold next year's tournament until coronavirus restrictions were lifted and spectators were able to attend matches. The GSA had agreed to extend the deal with the federation by a year to compensate for the loss in revenue, according to El Pais.
The RFEF would not confirm the change but said an announcement would be made soon.
La Liga champions Real Madrid and runners-up Barcelona have qualified for the Super Cup alongside Copa del Rey finalists Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao, who have still not played last season's showpiece game due to coronavirus restrictions.
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Spanish Soccer Federation president, Luis Rubiales, left, and Saudi General Sport Authority GSA chairman Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal enter a press conference for the Spanish Super Cup on December 18. AP Photo -
Luis Rubiales, left, and Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal pose with the Spanish Super Cup trophy. AP Photo -
Luis Rubiales, greets reporters at the start of the press conference to discuss the Spanish Super Cup. AP Photo -
Luis Rubiales, listens to a reporter during the press conference for the Spanish Super Cup. AP Photo -
Organisers set the table for the Spanish Super Cup press conference in Jeddah. AP Photo -
Luis Rubiales, second left, and Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, second right, attend a press conference for the Spanish Super Cup. AP Photo -
Luis Rubiales, right, speaks with Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal during a press conference for the Spanish Super Cup. EPA -
Luis Rubiales speaks during a press conference for the Spanish Super Cup. EPA -
Luis Rubiales, left, and Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal pose with the Spanish Super Cup trophy. EPA -
Luis Rubiales listens to a question during the Spanish Super Cup press conference. EPA -
Luis Rubiales listens to a question during the Spanish Super Cup press conference. EPA -
Luis Rubiales and Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal during the press conference for the Spanish Super Cup. EPA
The Super Cup used to be the season curtain raiser, a game held in August between the league champions and Cup winners until the federation voted to expand it in 2019.
The El Pais report said the matches would take place in the Spanish region of Andalusia, with the final taking place on January 17 in Seville's La Cartuja stadium, while the semi-finals would be held on January 13 and 14, either in Seville, Malaga or Cordoba.
It is unclear if supporters will be allowed to attend matches due to ongoing restrictions in Spain.
