• Conflict in Catalonia. LaLiga asks the Federation that the Classic of October 26 be played in Madrid
  • The regulation. When to suspend a match for "force majeure"
  • Background: 1-O, Balaído, Aitor Zabaleta, Reyes ... The other suspensions (or not) of Spanish football

The outbreak of the Catalan crisis has turned the League classic into a matter of state. Placed the match between Barcelona and Real Madrid on October 26 , 12 days after the 'procés' ruling was made public, the concern seized a good part of the actors involved, from the League and the Federation to those responsible for the clubs. They were not the only ones. Also of several members of the Government, for which, apart from admitting concern for security, there is a deep state reason for the meeting not to be disputed in the Camp Nou, and is to prevent the independence cause instrumentalize one of the events of greater international visibility in our country .

The contacts began immediately, although with stealth. Javier Tebas , president of the League, was the catalyst. The leader was in full harmony with the purpose of the Government, in addition to wanting to protect, as president of the club management, the interests of his organization. The intention was to find a formula that would allow the party not to be played in Barcelona, ​​where a massive mobilization of all sovereign platforms is called for on the 26th, but without suspending the meeting, since this would already mean a small victory for the independence .

An alternative that could achieve both purposes was the change of dates of the classics in the calendar . That is to say, that on the 26th the match will be played at the Santiago Bernabéu and on March 1, the scheduled date for the second League classic, at Camp Nou. In this way, the proposal was transferred to the competent body to decide, the Competition Committee of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, with the Government's knowledge. Some of its highest leaders also received calls from the Administration to convey the concern and the depth of the requested measure.

In the hands of Competition

The Competition Committee is an arbitration tribunal that administers the powers of the Federation, the only one that can decide the transfer or suspension of a match. The proposal of the League refers, then, to articles 188, 239 and 240 of the General Regulations of the Federation , which include the assumptions to carry it out, including the causes of "force majeure". The Competition Committee has already transferred to the clubs, which have three days to make their allegations. In the same way, you can make the consultations that you deem appropriate, in this case to the Government Delegation or the Ministry of Interior. For now, there is no ad hoc police report. Given the exceptional situation, everything indicates that Monday will rule on the request of the League.

Both Barcelona and Real Madrid are not in favor of changing dates and prefer, if necessary, the suspension and location on another date, something that the League opposes, because its will and that of the authorities consulted is that it does not stop the competition, which would mean a small victory for the independents. In addition, the suspension by the League could only be requested 24 hours before, under exceptional circumstances, but not now. In his proposal to the Competition Committee, he does not propose such an alternative.

The antecedent of 1-O

In the contacts maintained, what happened on 1-O has been very present, during the illegal referendum held in Catalonia two years ago. The independentistas pressed so that the League match between Barcelona and Las Palmas was not disputed, for which they pretended the police action carried out during the day. The board consulted the players and the Mossos d'Esquadra. In the locker room, only Gerard Piqué and Sergi Roberto were supporters of the suspension . The rest, with Leo Messi in the lead, voted to play. To avoid possible incidents inside the stadium, the match was played behind closed doors. This did not prevent a spontaneous assault on the grass.

The position of Barcelona in the crisis originated in Catalonia, with its statement against the Supreme Court ruling, adds concern among those involved about the demonstrations that could occur inside the Camp Nou, especially in one of the sporting events with more audience of the planet, the most desired set for any cause. The classic is, therefore, not just a matter of security. It is a political question, of State .

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • sports
  • football
  • First division
  • Real Madrid
  • FC Barcelona

LaLiga Santander 2019 - 2020The great ambition of Ter Stegen

LaLigaThe instructor of the 'Griezmann case' proposes to close the Camp Nou a match

LaLigaValverde, Hazard and Areola, dough, honey and coal