Clasico scheduled for Dec. 18 after request from Barca, Madrid

The first Clasico of the LaLiga season will go ahead on December 18, unless LaLiga attempts to block the agreed date.

Published : Oct 23, 2019 15:47 IST

Barcelona's Lionel Messi in action against Real Madrid.
Barcelona's Lionel Messi in action against Real Madrid.
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Barcelona's Lionel Messi in action against Real Madrid.

The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has accepted Barcelona and Real Madrid's joint request for the rescheduled Clasico to take place on December 18.

Bitter rivals Barca and Madrid reached a quick consensus on a potential new date for the fixture after civil unrest in Catalonia forced their first encounter of the 2019-20 season, which was originally set for October 26, to be postponed.

RFEF's Competition Committee announced the acceptance of the proposal on Wednesday, but the agreed date may yet face further opposition from LaLiga.

According to reports, the administrator of Spanish football's top two tiers could challenge the decision in court as it opposes the idea of playing a match of such immense global interest in midweek.

LaLiga is said to favour December 7, a Saturday, in line with the original plan for the game.

In a statement, RFEF said it had assessed "numerous reports" submitted by LaLiga but deemed them to be "not binding".

It read: "The decision of the Competition Committee has come after analysing in recent days the proposals of both clubs, which it invited to agree on a date and who agreed to select December 18 for the celebration of the postponed match.

"It has also analysed a report of the RFEF Competition Area as well as the numerous reports submitted by the National Professional Football League [LaLiga], which are not binding.

"At its meeting today, the Committee has also analysed the latest pleas of the clubs, who stood by their initial proposal to play the game on December 18."

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