Spanish Federation Fixes Postponed El Clasico For Dec. 18

The postponed El-Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid will be played on December 18 despite opposition from La Liga.

The Spanish Football Federation made this known on Tuesday.

Spain’s most prestigious fixture, which was due to take place at Camp Nou on Saturday, was postponed last week because of violent pro-independence protests in Catalonia.

The protests saw Barcelona’s airport blocked off last week, while there have been fires across the city and clashes between police and protesters.

A further demonstration is planned for Oct. 26, the day when the Clasico was supposed to be played.

La Liga which had initially suggested reversing the fixture and playing it at the Bernabeu instead of Camp Nou, is now expected to challenge the decision.

The League said it would prefer the game to be played on either Dec. 4 or Dec. 7.

Following the postponement, the Competition Committee — a panel consisting of three people, one from the RFEF, one from La Liga, one independent — urged Barca and Madrid to agree on a new date. Both clubs put forward Wednesday, Dec. 18.

However, the league does not want its showcase fixture played on that day. It argues that it should not be scheduled on a day when there are Copa del Rey games featuring lower league sides.

It would also prefer the game to be played over a weekend, rather than on a Wednesday, when it has more reach among global television audiences.

Dec. 7, therefore, would be the ideal date for La Liga. But that would require Barca and Madrid’s games against Mallorca and Espanyol to be moved. Dec. 4, which is also a midweek date, is the league’s second option.