Saudi Arabia pulls out of hosting Spanish Super Cup due to Covid-19 restrictions - report

Real Madrid celebrate after winning the 2020 Spanish Super Cup final against Atletico Madrid at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah. AP Photo

Real Madrid's Spanish defender Sergio Ramos and teammates celebrate after the match. AFP

Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois celebrates winning the Super Cup. Reuters

Real Madrid's Isco, Federico Valverde and Alphonse Areola celebrate. Reuters

Real Madrid players celebrate after winning the Spanish Super Cup final. EPA

Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos (L) receives the Cup. EPA

Sergio Ramos celebrates after scoring the decisive penalty in the shootout. EPA

Real Madrid players. EPA

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saves a penalty during the shootout. EPA

Atletico Madrid's Koke looks dejected as he poses in front of the trophy. Reuters

Atletico Madrid players look dejected during the penalty shootout before Real Madrid win the Super Cup. Reuters

Supporters of Real Madrid cheer during the Spanish Super Cup Final match between Atletico Madrid FC and Real Madrid at King Abdullah Sport City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, January 12, 2020. EPA/ALI ALQARNI

Real Madrid's Luka Jovic, left, fights for the ball with Atletico Madrid's Thomas Partey during the Spanish Super Cup Final soccer match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid at King Abdullah stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, January12, 2020. AP Photo/Hassan Ammar

Atletico Madrid players react at the end of the Spanish Super Cup Final soccer match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid at King Abdullah stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Monday, January 13, 2020. AP Photo/Hassan Ammar

From left to right, Real Madrid's Casemiro, Real Madrid's Marcelo, Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, Real Madrid's Eder Militao and Real Madrid's Rodrygo celebrate end the Spanish Super Cup Final soccer match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid at King Abdullah stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, January 12, 2020. AP Photo/Hassan Ammar

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.

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.