Spanish FA could move El Clásico to neutral venue
A sub-clause in the Federation's statutes (42.3.a) could empower the Competition Committee to look for a change of venue.
Next week's rescheduled El Clásico faces a new threat of disruption after pro-Catalan independence activists have targeted the Camp Nou for a fresh wave of protests.
An active Catalan pro-independence based group, run by anonymous leaders and which mobilises followers by means including social media, has called on its supporters to head to four meeting points close to Barcelona's stadium at 4pm local time on December 18.
The potential problem that a protest of this nature could generate has lead to speculation that, once again the match may be cancelled for the second time.
Neutral venue
The Spanish FA (RFEF) have the possibility to move the game to a neutral venue if they feel (in consultation with local police) that the security risks are too high for the match to unfold without any significant security risks for spectators and players alike.
Members of the Spanish FA are set to meet today (without representatives from both clubs) to analyse the latest intelligence from the Catalan capital with Real Madrid club officials having reported to claim that they "have not requested that the game goes ahead in a neutral venue and will comply with any decision made by the Spanish FA".
Article 42.3. of the Spanish FA statutes state that the federation has the power to: "Suspend, bring forward or delay games and chose the date of the match or, should the case arise due to grounds of "force majeure" or due to regulation issues, move the game from the established date or from the previously designated sporting installation".
For a change of venue to materialise, a report from the local Barcelona city government in consultation with local police (Mossos d'Esquadra) showcasing the high risk of public disorder would need to be generated.
