Less than 12 hours after the Spanish El Clasico game, fans took to the streets with fire and banners. The game which was earlier post-pond due to the crisis in Catalunar state was played last night 18th Dec. 2019. Both teams lodged in the same hotel ahead of the match yesterday and no one saw it coming. Real Madrid and Barcelona had earlier refused the shifting of the venue from Camp Nue to the Madrid home.
The match was played finally and a new record has also been set. It is first time in 17 years an El Clasico game is ending in goalless draw. But after the game, thousands of fans inside Barcelona’s stadium held banners. The banners were urging the Spanish government to “sit and talk” with those demanding Catalan independence.
The match had been postponed in October over protests against the jailing of nine Catalan separatist leaders. Before the game a secretive Catalan protest group, Democratic Tsunami, said on Twitter it would distribute 100,000 banners to fans. It also told them to bring inflatable balls and to write on them a “message for the world”
Many Barcelona fans and other protesters want a legal independence referendum for the region.
The group is classed by Spanish officials as a criminal organization. In October it organised mass protests at Barcelona’s airport in October and blocked a major motorway. Meanwhile, thousands of protesters gathered outside the stadium, chanting “Independence” and “Free political prisoners”. They made makeshift barricades that were later cleared by police.
Police charged masked protesters who set rubbish bins on fire. At least 12 people were reportedly injured in the clashes. The match, known as “El Clásico”, was been due to be played two months ago but was postponed due to unrest in the venue. Spain’s Supreme Court in October sentenced nine Catalan separatist leaders to up to 13 years in prison.
The game ended in a 0-0 draw, leaving Barcelona top of the league ahead of Real Madrid on goal difference. El Clasico, the biggest match in the Spanish football calendar, was highly anticipated but it ended in goalless draw. And the aftermath is what has raised concerns, both teams have not left their hotel rooms due to the crisis.
It is the first time in 17 years El Clasico has ended goalless. The game was marked by disturbances both during and after the game, including clashes with police. The game also had to be stopped for a short time when pro-Catalon protesters threw beach balls onto the pitch.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid El Clasico Battle
While in football terms the stakes couldn’t have been higher, with the fierce rival’s neck and neck at the top of the La Liga table. El Clasico took place in the Catalan capital amid ongoing political protests. The game was supposed to be played on October 26 but was called off following a wave of sometimes violent protests in Barcelona.
While the city is much calmer two months later, there have been calls from an activist group for tonight’s match at the Nou Camp. It was to be used as a stage for protests in front of a global audience.
Democratic Tsunami has urged supporters to gather near the stadium ahead of tonight’s kick-off, which is scheduled for 8 pm CET. The group has insisted any protest must be non-violent, and it said the world will see the message “Spain, sit and talk”. A 3,000-strong force of public and private security officers was on hand to ensure the game is not disrupted.
Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu told reporters: “Whoever wants to protest peacefully can do so, the Camp Nou is a space for freedom of expression. The game will not be postponed again, it’s everyone’s responsibility to ensure it goes ahead.”
In recent years Barcelona have come out on top in El Clasico matches in the league, and the champions are chasing a fifth league title in just six seasons.
