Security for El Clasico has officially been doubled after the between Real Madrid and Barcelona was declared ‘high risk.’
AS reports the designation was officially made on Wednesday night following a 40 minute meeting of the Anti-Violence Commission, with Francisco Martinez Vazquez, the Secretary of State for Security, attending alongside representatives from the Ministry of Sport and the Spanish Football Federation.
“The Clasico will include intensive security, a number much higher than before,” Martinez Vazquez is quoted as saying.
“There will be 1,000 national police officers, which doubles the usual number. There will also be 1,400 members of private security, to which must be added the emergency services, fire and municipal police.”
The ramped up protection comes in the wake of the Paris attacks on November 13, in which the friendly between France and Germany at Stade de France was a target.
Germany’s subsequent friendly with the Netherlands was also called off at short notice on Tuesday because of a bomb threat.
Spain’s friendly in Belgium, also set for Tuesday, was cancelled late on Monday after Belgium’s terror threat level was raised due to links to the country and the terrorists responsible for the Paris attacks.
Politicians and football administrators have however insisted there are no security reasons to postpone El Clasico, and the game will go ahead as planned.
