El-Classico - Why it was Postponed and Clubs Statement

This seasons El-Classico game between Barcelona and Real Madrid was supposed to happen on October 26, 2019 at the Camp Nou yet fear of civil unrest by the Spanish football Division has caused it postponement.

The RFEF felt it safe to delay one of the biggest rival games in the world after tensions heightened in Barcelona on Monday when nine Catalan separatist leaders were jailed for between nine and 13 years for playing a role in an illegal referendum and subsequent failed independence bid.

said in a statement asked both teams to agree on a new date before Monday and failure to do that would have quickened the Competition Committee to determine a new date for the game.

“FC Barcelona and Real Madrid must agree on the new match date,” the RFEF said.

“Gathered on an extraordinary day yesterday the RFEF Competition Committee, has resolved in relation to the National League Championship game between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid set for next October 26, after analyzing the allegations of the parties, the next:

“- The regulation prevents the alteration of the order of dispute of the parties established in the calendar.

“- The Committee lets the affected clubs reach an agreement to find the classic dispute date. FC Barcelona and Real Madrid will set the date and time in the next hours, with Monday October 21 at 10:00 a.m. as a limit.

“- In case of not reaching an agreement, the Competition Committee will be the body responsible for determining the date of the meeting.”

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The Laliga requested the match to be moved to the Bernabeu but Barca disagreed the proposal of the Spanish Football Federation through a written statement suggesting December 18 as the ideal time for the league fixture.

"On Thursday the club informed the Spanish Football Federation's (RFEF) Competition Committee of its decision to say no to playing the game at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, as proposed by the Spanish Football League (LFP).

"The club's desire was to play the Clasico at Camp Nou on the 26th, the date and time previously agreed and the Committee was informed of this in writing.

“The club has the utmost confidence in the civilized and pacifist attitude of its members and fans who always express themselves in exemplary fashion at Camp Nou.

"Nevertheless, having received the decision of the RFEF Competition Committee to postpone the game citing 'exceptional circumstances' and given that it falls to the clubs to agree a new date for the game before Monday, the club will propose December 18.

"The club regrets the inconvenience that this postponement may cause to members, supporters' club members and fans and it has now begun the necessary steps to refund money from Monday, October 21 for tickets already purchased."

Madrid earlier endorsed Barcelona’s date and announced their concord to participate.

"Before the resolution of the Competition Committee of the Royal Spanish Football Federation to postpone the game that was to be played on Saturday, October 26 between Barcelona and Real Madrid, and which establishes that the clubs agree on a new date for the same, Real Madrid announces that the date proposed by both clubs is that of December 18."