With just two weeks to go before the biggest game of the season the powers that be have still not announced a kick-off time for El Clasico. There have been a number of rumours that the game will be played on Friday 21st December but I think this is impossible now. Apart from the inconvenience to fans I understand Madrid have a game in the Copa del Rey with Alicante on December 19th. Even if that was moved to the 18th Madrid are hardly likely to accept playing Barça three days later.

Usually the date and kick-off time of a Barça-Madrid game is decided weeks before in order to allow the TV companies plenty of time to advertise the game, but this year’s TV wars seem to be affecting the announcement of dates even more than usual. It is a disgrace that fans who need to make travel arrangements are kept waiting in this way, especially with the rumours of a Friday match. With the game taking place so close to christmas, how many families are having their christmas plans affected by this dreadful organization?

If Spanish football hopes to compete with the English Premiership for the worldwide market this is one of the things it needs to sort out. The kick-off time for next week’s game with Valencia has been announced today (Saturday 15th 10pm local time) just eight days before the game. Will we have to wait until next Friday to hear on which day and at what time the Barça-Madrid game will take place?