Real Madrid and Barcelona agree on December 18 for El Clasico

Spanish club, Real Madrid, has accepted Barcelona's proposal to shift the date of the first El Clasico of the season to December 18. This proposal comes after the Spanish FA had stated that it had postponed the much-anticipated match to played on October 26 at Camp Nou amid the civil unrest in Barcelona.

A new date for the El Clasico

In an official statement, Madrid stated that keeping in the mind the Spanish FA's decision to postpone the match amid the protests and asking both the clubs to decide a future date, both the clubs have mutually reached a date i.e. December 18. 

In a public address before this, Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane, stated that he was ready to cooperate and be ready for any plan or decision that comes their way with reference to the El Clasico. He said that even if they have to play on the 26th, they will give it their best and even if the match gets postponed, they will be ready for it.

Read: Wes Morgan Blames Social Media For The Growing Racism In Football

According to reports, December 7 was the initial suggested date for the El Clasico but that would have required Barcelona to change their league fixtures against Real Mallorca and Espanyol. Also, both the teams would have been involved in their final group stage matches in the Champions League during the December 7 week. While Barcelona will be playing against Inter Milan, Real Madrid will be playing a match against Club Brugge.

Read: Football: Serie A News And Match Preview Ahead Of Matchday 8

Civil unrest in Barcelona

These developments took place amid the violent protests that erupted over arrests of Catalonian leaders in Barcelona. The Catalan autonomy crisis flared up on October 15 as police and protesters were engaged in a violent encounter.

The clashes erupted at an airport in Barcelona, which falls in Catalunya. This came after the Spanish Supreme Court imprisoned nine Catalan separatist leaders over their failed efforts for secession in 2017.

Read: Euro 2020 Qualifiers, Bulgaria Vs England: Football Marred With Racism

Read: Bulgaria's PM Calls For The Resignation Of Football Union President

(With inputs from agencies)