Laporta: "Barcelona Wrong for Allowing Clasico to be Postponed"

Barcelona are responsible for the postponement of the Clasico against Real Madrid, according to the Catalan club's former president Joan Laporta.

The clash between the two La Liga rivals was scheduled to be held on Saturday October 26, but the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) decided to reschedule the fixture due to civil unrest in Catalonia.

"Yes, [I would've played] the game on Saturday because if Real Madrid wanted to play then I don't see the problem," he said.

"The powers that be wanted to magnify what was happening for political reasons. [Barcelona] were mistaken because they criminalised a movement and put politics ahead of a football match that always has political connotations. It's always been like this.

"They've played a game with the powers that rule football to make people from Barcelona and everyone look bad. La Liga made a strong move for it not to be played.

"La Liga had political interests to magnify a certain situation and exaggerate what happened. It's the worst way of getting past what is happening. Barcelona are guilty in this situation."

Demonstrations swept the city this month after nine Catalan separatist leaders were jailed for between nine and 13 years for their role in a referendum on Catalan independence that occurred in October 2017.