El Clasico postponed amid rising tensions in Catalonia
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La Liga match between Barcelona and Real Madrid has been postponed by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) amid fears of civil unrest and protests in Catalonia. The postponement comes after La Liga requested the Spanish federation to move the match to Santiago Bernabeu from the Nou Camp.
The El Clasico that was supposed to take place on 26th October in Barcelona has now been postponed by the RFEF as unrest continues in the city and across Catalonia. The governing body in La Liga requested a change in the venue because of "exceptional circumstances beyond our control" as more protests were expected in Barcelona on the day of the match.Â
Tensions have reached an all time high after the Spanish Supreme court passed the decision to jail nine Catalonian separatist leaders for between nine and 13 years for their role in an illegal referendum and subsequently failed independence bid. This has lead to civil protests across the region forcing the Riot police to act causing injuries to at least 96 people so far.
RFEF rejected La Liga’s request of moving the El Clasico to the Nou Camp but also made sure that the match isn’t played during the unrest. Hence, the federation came up with the solution of postponing the game but they also set a deadline of 21st October to set the new date. Real Madrid and Barcelona are given the choice to choose the date of their choice and report the agreed date to La Liga.
Barcelona released a statement on Monday condemning the prison sentences of the Separatist leaders, the statement was supported by the majority of the Spanish players in the Barcelona dressing room. Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola too spoke out against the jail sentencing in a video that was released on social media by the group called Tsunami Democratic.Â
