This archive report was first published on 16 October 2019.
Published on October 16, 2019, the Spanish football league has asked the country's football federation to move the next 'El Clasico' between Real Madrid and Barcelona to Madrid following violent protests by separatists in Catalonia.
The league cited 'exceptional circumstances beyond our control' as the reason for the request, which was made to the competitions committee of the Spanish Football Federation.
According to Spanish media reports, Catalan grassroots separatist groups and political parties are planning a demonstration in Barcelona on October 26, the day the La Liga clash is scheduled to take place at Barcelona's Camp Nou stadium.
Protests have erupted across Catalonia after Spain's Supreme Court issued heavy prison sentences to Catalan separatist leaders convicted of sedition over the 2017 referendum and short-lived declaration of independence.
As tensions rise in the region, the football federation has confirmed it has received the league's request and will make a decision after considering the opinions of the two clubs, which are due by Monday.
