STRINGER / AFPOften symbolised as pitting the pride of Catalonia against Spain’s capital, the ‘El Clasico’ between Barcelona and Real Madrid is a match laced with political and social as much as sporting tension.
Even more so this week when the sides face off in Madrid on Saturday lunchtime just over 36 hours after polls will close in local elections in Catalonia that were called over the crisis caused by the region’s drive for independence.
“They have a very strong ideological connection,” political scientist Pablo Simon told AFP.
“On the one side are Real Madrid, who normally can be said to have a more conservative and nationalist fan base.”
By contrast, Simon cites Barca’s ‘more than a club’ motto as being rooted in a sense of Catalan identity.
The sights and sounds of their Camp Nou and Santiago Bernabeu stadiums reflect that difference.
Politically Divided Spain United By El Clasico Rivalry
