'Clasico Will Be Played', Says Barcelona President Bartomeu
Zeeshan Mehtab Published December 12, 2019 | 10:03 PM
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu said on Thursday the Clasico against Real Madrid next week will not be postponed again, amid renewed fears of unrest around the fixture
Protestors from the Catalan separatist movement, Democratic Tsunami, have called for a "massive" protest outside Camp Nou, where Barcelona are due to play against Real Madrid in La Liga on December 18.
Spain's most prestigious fixture was originally scheduled for October 26 but had to be postponed following a wave of pro-independence demonstrations in the city.
"I can say that the Clasico will be played, it will not be postponed again," Bartomeu said at a Christmas press event in Barcelona.
"It is everyone's responsibility to ensure it goes ahead. We know that we live in a complicated period in Catalonia but that can be compatible with sport.
"Our stadium is a place for free expression, it always has been, and that is why we want to send out a message of normality and calm.
"The club is preparing for the Clasico with complete normality and we tell our fans to come with their family and friends.
"Together we have to deliver a Clasico that is a celebration of sport and of people. We want peace and calm." Democratic Tsunami have urged protestors to gather at four points around Camp Nou from 4:00 pm (1500 GMT), four hours before kick-off.
"In an exceptional situation, we should act in an exceptional way," said a statement from the group on Tuesday.
The rally is the latest in a series of demonstrations that began two months ago when Spain's top court jailed nine Catalan separatist leaders over their role in a failed 2017 bid for independence.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
Pakistan, Japan agrees to convene 'Economic Policy Dialogue'
FM Dar conveys deepest sympathy on torrential rains devastation in UAE
Spain PM Sanchez says weighing resignation after wife's graft probe
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
Long-lost Klimt portrait auctioned off for 30 mn euros
Osaka seals first win on clay since 2022 in Madrid
Earthquake jolts Karachi
Sindh minister orders operation after attack on police in Ghotki
TikTok to fight US ban law in courts
More Stories From Sports
-
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
4 hours ago -
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
4 hours ago -
Osaka seals first win on clay since 2022 in Madrid
4 hours ago -
Watford hire Cleverley as permanent boss
5 hours ago -
Karachi, Lahore, Multan win matches of National Women’s Cricket Tournament
5 hours ago -
No communication gap among players, asserts Babar Azam
5 hours ago
-
Bracewell looks ahead to Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan
5 hours ago -
Bolt named ICC Men’s T20 WC 2024 ambassador
6 hours ago -
Kewell's Yokohama beat Ulsan to reach Asian Champions League final
7 hours ago -
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results
8 hours ago -
Advisor Sports hands over Rs500,000 to prominent Martial Art Athlete Irfan Mehsud
8 hours ago -
Muhammad Rizwan, Mohammad Irfan Khan ruled out of T20I series against New Zealand
8 hours ago