Spanish Super Cup expanded to four teams and will be played abroad from 2019
The Spanish FA have announced the changes, though they are still to be approved by the general assembly
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Spanish Super Cup is set to be expanded to a four-team tournament set to take place "outside Spain" according to a proposal by Spanish FA (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales.
In a move that has been seen by many as baiting La Liga president Javier Tebas, who was partly frustrated in his efforts to move a domestic league game to Miami this year by the Spanish FA, Rubiales has announced that the changes would take effect this year as the RFEF look to increase revenues.
The Copa del Rey and Super Cup are the only competitions that the RFEF administrate and thus their only access to two of the world's leading football brands, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.
With this in mind, Rubiales is looking to draw out what was previously a one-on-one fixture into a longer event that can help publicise the federation's efforts.
Both finalists from the Copa del Rey will be paired with the top two from La Liga to form a four-team competition comprising two semi-finals and a final. Rubiales confirmed that this tournament will go overseas in a bid to expand the global reach of Spanish football, saying "the next Supercopa will be played outside Spain."
While the Spanish federation have described this Final Four style competition as a "fiesta of football" it is likely to reopen the divide between Spain's FA and its top division, La Liga, whose president Javier Tebas has already chastised the proposal.
"It is just his latest brainwave," Tebas said of Rubiales. "Generating false expectations without knowing the effects it will have or if the clubs want it."
Tebas has been at war with Rubiales - and his predecessor - for years as he looks to defend the interests of a league competition looking to make global gains amid stiff competition from the Premier League, Bundesliga and Serie A.
La Liga have opened a number of international offices around the world in their efforts to spread the league, but were frustrated in their attempts to move Girona's league meeting with Barca to Miami in late January after opposition from the Spanish FA, fans and the players' union.
Qatar, China and Saudi Arabia - the latter of which as already hosted the Italian Super Cup - are expected to lead the race to host an expanded Supercopa.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments