Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale set to miss Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia

Madrid: Real Madrid duo Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale have been ruled out of this week’s Spanish Super Cup which is to be held in Saudi Arabia. [caption id=“attachment_7071111” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Gareth Bale. Reuters[/caption] The club confirmed in two separate statements that the forwards, who both started Saturday’s 3-0 La Liga win over Getafe, will be absent for the money-spinning trip. Benzema has a hamstring issue, while Bale is suffering from a chest infection. A timescale has not been given for their return. They join teammate Eden Hazard, who has an ankle problem, as well as Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Valencia forward Rodrigo (both with knee issues) as high-profile absentees for the tournament, which has courted controversy since its reformatting was announced last year. The Super Cup was a two-legged tie between the league champions and Copa del Rey holders. However, Spanish Football Federation chief Luis Rubiales oversaw a dramatic shake-up in November, striking a three-year deal to play the tournament in Saudi Arabia - a move which has angered human rights groups, as well as local supporters. Real and Valencia meet in the first semi-final in Jeddah on Wednesday before Barcelona take on Atletico Madrid 24 hours later for a place in Sunday’s final. It is the latest sports event to be held in the Kingdom, which also hosted the Italian Super Cup in December.