Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema and Barcelona’s Gerard Pique during an El Clasico clash
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez will not travel to Camp Nou to watch the Clasico in La Liga on Sunday, a Barcelona club source told AFP.
The Catalans will not hold a traditional pre-game lunch between directors of both clubs either, the same source confirmed.
Tensions between the clubs have risen in the past week because of the corruption charge levelled at Barcelona by Spanish prosecutors for paying a former refereeing chief 7.3 million euros ($7.9 million) between 2001 and 2018.
Real Madrid confirmed last weekend they would appear in the case as an “injured party” to defend their interests, once proceedings move forward.
Barcelona host Real Madrid looking to increase their nine-point advantage over their rivals at the top of La Liga, which they are aiming to win for the first time since 2019.
Spanish newspaper AS reports that it is the first Clasico at Camp Nou Perez has not attended “in 20 years”.
Relations between the two rival clubs seemed to be improving of late, as they looked to launch a European Super League project together in 2021 and remain set on the idea.
AFP
