SPANISH football authorities are holding last-minute crunch talks to ensure El Clasico can go ahead amid the threat of major protests.
The match was rescheduled for Wednesday December 18 after the original Camp Nou clash, on October 26, was postponed.
The original match between the bitter rivals was pulled in OctoberCredit: AFP – Getty
Public outcry over the imprisonment of Catalan political leaders led to a general strike just over a week before the initial Clasico date.
There is a sense that the situation has only temporarily calmed down since and the separatist group Democratic Tsunami have threatened to form a 20,000-person picket line around the stadium next week.
Fears that authorities cannot guarantee fans’ and the teams’ safety are prompting emergency meetings between football and government officials.
The Spanish FA (RFEF) have called a meeting to discuss the key issues threatening the game, according to COPE.
Those include the Real Madrid squad being blocked from entering the ground, protesters entering the field of play and how to escort injured players away for treatment.
Marca state that neither Los Blancos nor Barcelona plan to attend the meeting.
Government ministers are said to be confident that next Wednesday’s game will go ahead, with kick-off at 7pm UK time.
Further meetings between the Interior Ministry and the Catalan police force, Mossos, are also planned for Thursday to finalise their arrangements.
National police and civil guard officers could be sent to Barcelona to keep the peace if reinforcements are deemed necessary.
Sergio Ramos appears to elbow Lionel Messi during Real Madrid v Barcelona El Clasico match
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
