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Soccer Match Set for Saudi Arabia Puts Its Organizers on the Defensive

A.C. Milan and Juventus will face off in the Italian Super Cup in January, but the Italian league is drawing criticism for planning on holding the game in Saudi Arabia. Gregorio Borgia/Associated Press

LONDON — The Italian Super Cup final has been played on foreign soil nine times, including once in Tripoli at the invitation of the former Libyan dictator Muammar el-Qaddafi. But the site for this season’s match is drawing a whole new level of criticism.

At issue is the decision of Italian soccer authorities to forge ahead and stage the showpiece game — a matchup of the winners of the previous season’s domestic league and cup competitions — in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, next month.