S Arabia waives vaccination rules for Spanish Super Cup

RIYADH, Saudia Arabia, Jan 14 (Reuters): Saudi Arabia waived its requirement for visitors to be fully vaccinated to allow football players from Spain to compete in the Spanish Super Cup on Saudi soil, sources have said.

Full vaccination is mandatory to enter the kingdom according to guidelines on the government website.

Yet three sources close to the matter said exceptions were made after the Spanish Football Association negotiated with local authorities to allow all players and staff from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid to make the trip and play in the tournament, which runs from Jan 10 to 16.

Brazil coach Tite announced on Thursday that he was leaving Atletico Madrid defender Renan Lodi out of his squad for the next two World Cup qualifiers because the player has not had a full course of COVID-19 vaccines.

Lodi is currently in Saudi Arabia where Atletico Madrid will play Athletic Bilbao later on Thursday in the second semi-final of the revamped Super Cup.