Saturday’s Clasico mired in political intrigue

Each Real Madrid v Barcelona Clasico is about more than just football, with both superclubs having deep roots within Spanish and Catalan society. But this week’s two Clasicos in four days have even wider resonance than usual, given the current mix of legal and political issues directly and indirectly involving both clubs.

Most serious is the ongoing trial at Spain’s Supreme Court of 12 Catalan politicians and activists, who face charges of rebellion, sedition, disobedience, and misuse of public funds, arising from a failed attempt to secure independence for Catalonia in autumn 2017.