Some Barcelona supporters accidentally pelted their team’s bus with stones, confusing it for Real Madrid’s vehicle, in a bizarre incident just hours before the highly anticipated El Clásico. The clash, set to take place on Sunday evening at Spotify Camp Nou, is part of La Liga’s Matchday 35 and holds significant title implications for the hosts.
Barcelona enter the match needing only a draw to officially clinch the league title, as they sit 11 points clear of second-placed Real Madrid. The mistake occurred amid heavy smoke in the area, which obscured visibility and led the fans to target the wrong bus, according to Spanish newspaper Marca.
As a result, one window of the Barcelona bus was shattered, as reported by Mundo Deportivo. Meanwhile, some fans also attacked the Real Madrid team bus upon its arrival at the stadium, causing a window to break as well.
In light of the tense atmosphere leading up to the match, Spain’s Ministry of the Interior classified the fixture as “high risk,” following a request from the Mossos d’Esquadra police force, due to the possibility of the title being decided during El Clásico, as noted by newspaper AS. This designation imposes strict security measures, including a ban on matchday ticket sales, enhanced inspections inside and outside the stadium, and prohibition of dangerous items such as pyrotechnics, smoke bombs, bottles, and bladed weapons.