El Clasico Match-Fixing Investigation: Latest News on Real Madrid vs. Barcelona

Spanish police are investigating an allegation from an unnamed assistant referee that he was pressured to benefit Real Madrid in their upcoming Clasico with Barcelona on Nov. 21, per L'Esportiu (h/t Sport).

Continue for updates.

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Barcelona President Calls for Full Enquiry

Tuesday, Oct. 27

"I ask that the linesman's accusations be fully investigated," Josep Maria Bartomeu told 8TV, per Marca. "If they're true, that's really serious. Referees can make mistakes, but I think that accusations like these are very serious."

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Official 'Scared' of Repercussions  

Thursday, Oct. 22

The lawyer who presented the case to the police, Jacinto Vicente, explained how he was contacted by the pressured official, per Sport's Albert Masnou: 

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He explained everything that had occurred and wanted to go public with the pressure being put on him because it's the only way to clean up Spanish football and the only way to change a closed system. ...

I advised him that it was not the best solution to publish it, but that the normal thing to do would be to report it to the police. It scared him because he didn't want his name to come out. If it does, he could have a serious professional problem.

"

According to Ed Malyon of the Mirror, the assistant claimed to have first received a call from the match-appointed referee. When he refused, he "received a phone call from the Spanish federation that threatened his career."

Given that the Clasico is, by some distance, the most high-profile fixture in Spanish football, it is unsurprising that the assistant in question feared his name being revealed.

Real's clashes with Barca are invariably heated affairs—their last six La Liga meetings have seen 46 yellow cards and two red cards issued.

November's clash at the Bernabeu will be no different. The two sides are locked in a tight title battle, and the results from the two respective Clasicos this season will have a major bearing on the outcome of the La Liga title race.

The latest accusations are likely to only increase the scrutiny placed on officials when the sides meet.