LaLiga request that El Clasico be switched to the Bernabeu due to Barcelona protests Real Madrid Security fears

Barcelona are scheduled to host Real Madrid on Saturday October 26 in the first Clasico of the season, however LaLiga has now made a request to the RFEF to switch the location of the match to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

Protests have exploded in Barcelona since the judgement to jail several political prisoners with regards to the issue of Catalan independence, and there are now fears that it would be unsafe to hold the Clasico at the Camp Nou.

What is already a high-risk fixture, the Clasico would have already stretched resources of the local security forces and Real Madrid were concerned that they would be caught up in the protests.

Los Blancos had planned to travel the day before the match and sleep in Barcelona on that evening, however it was feared that the protestors would see them as a possible target.

Barcelona have also been impacted by the protests with road closures and airport delays having forced the Catalan giants to find alternative routes ahead of Saturday's trip to Eibar.

With regards to the decision to jail the political prisoners, the Blaugrana released a statement indicating their support of the individuals.

"In the same way that pre-trial detention didn't help resolve the conflict, neither will the prison sentences issued today," the statement read.

"Prison is not the solution for political dialogue.

"The club asks that all policy makers lead a process of dialogue and negotiation to resolve this conflict, which also has to allow for the release of civic and political leaders."