Why Real Madrid and Barcelona Are Banned from Calling Their Matches 'El Clasico'
- Barcelona and Real Madrid have been barred from using the iconic term ‘El Clásico’ to describe their fixtures
- A legal ruling has stripped both clubs of the right to promote their encounters under the famous name
- Though El Clásico remains one of the most recognisable phrases in European football, neither side can now use it in any official capacity
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FC Barcelona and Real Madrid have reportedly been banned from using the term “El Clásico” ahead of their hugely anticipated meeting this weekend.
Barcelona will host fierce rivals Real Madrid at the Camp Nou on Sunday evening knowing that just one point would officially secure the La Liga title for the 2025-26 season.
Source: Getty Images
The Catalan giants currently sit 11 points clear of second-placed Real Madrid in the league standings, leaving Los Blancos needing a remarkable turnaround to keep their fading title hopes alive.
While Real Madrid have endured a turbulent period filled with reports of dressing-room tension and instability, Barcelona have enjoyed a far calmer campaign as they move closer to another domestic crown.
There is little debate that Barcelona have been the standout side in Spanish football throughout the 2025-26 season.
The Catalan side defeated Real Madrid 3-2 in the last meeting between the two teams back in January in the final of the Supercopa de España.
However, Real Madrid came out on top earlier in the campaign when they secured a 2-1 victory in the reverse league fixture at the Santiago Bernabéu in October 2025.
Across all competitions, Barcelona have won five of the last six meetings between the two clubs.
Real Madrid, though, have still managed five victories in the last 10 encounters between the rivals, including a dominant 4-0 win at Camp Nou in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey in April 2023.
Barcelona will be desperate to secure the league title against their biggest rivals this weekend, although even a defeat would still leave them in a commanding position. A Real Madrid victory would reduce the gap to eight points with only three matches remaining.
Barcelona, Real Madrid banned from using ‘El Clásico’
Last year, La Liga emerged victorious in a legal battle over the commercial rights to the term “El Clásico.”
The dispute revolved around whether Real Madrid and Barcelona could claim joint ownership of the famous rivalry’s name, but the court ruled that La Liga’s registration of “ELCLASICO” in May 2023 granted the league exclusive commercial control.
This means both clubs are now prohibited from using “El Clásico” in marketing campaigns or promotional materials, per Revelo.
According to GOAL, the ruling is the latest flashpoint in an ongoing power struggle between La Liga and Spain’s two biggest clubs, with recent tensions also flaring over a proposal to stage Barcelona’s December clash with Villarreal at Inter Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.
Source: Getty Images
Players who will miss Barcelona vs Real Madrid
According to Sports Mole, Barcelona will be without superstar Lamine Yamal for the remainder of the season due to a hamstring injury, but the rest of the squad is largely in strong condition. Long-term absentee Andreas Christensen has also returned to training after recovering from a knee problem.
Head coach Hansi Flick still faces several major selection decisions across the pitch. Eric García could feature in central midfield alongside Pedri and Gavi.
Fermín López is expected to start in attack, while both Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski could also come into the side. Raphinha, who recently returned from a hamstring injury, is likely to begin the match on the bench.
As for Real Madrid, Federico Valverde is unavailable after suffering an injury during his altercation with Aurélien Tchouaméni. However, neither player received a suspension, meaning Tchouaméni remains available for selection.
Thibaut Courtois and Kylian Mbappé have both recovered from recent fitness concerns and are expected to start on Sunday night.
However, Rodrygo (knee), Arda Güler (hamstring), Éder Militão (hamstring), Dani Carvajal (foot) and Ferland Mendy (thigh) have all been ruled out alongside Valverde.
Eduardo Camavinga and Thiago Pitarch could both feature in midfield, while Vinícius Júnior is expected to lead the attack.
The 4 Barca players to receive ovation in Madrid
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that only four Barcelona players have ever received a standing ovation from Real Madrid fans at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Lamine Yamal now joins legends Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho, and Andres Iniesta in that exclusive group.
Source: YEN.com.gh
