Internet Desk: Good news for Real Madrid and Barcelona fans in India. The fans of Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi in India will not have to wake late at night to witness the first El Classico of the season live on television. The first high profile clash of the season between Barcelona and Real Madrid will take place at a time that suits Asian and North American television audiences, La Liga’s president said on Wednesday.
The ‘Clasico’ will take place at 4.15pm (1515 GMT) at Barca’s Camp Nou on December 3. In India the television timing will be 8:45 pm. The El Classico will be shown live on Sony in India.
La Liga president Javier Tebas said three time slots had been considered before agreeing on the one that would suit both the Asian and North American markets.
“There is seven hours difference with Asia and playing at 6.30pm was too late. And playing at 1pm was too early for the American market,” Tebas told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser.
The ‘Clasico’ is a crucial product for La Liga who publicise it as the most-watched club match in the world with 600 million TV viewers.
But the decision has caused angst closer to home in the European market, where the decision means that the blockbuster, which kicks off at 3.15pm in the afternoon in the UK, won’t be seen live on television in England.
A longstanding Football Association rule prohibits any football being shown on television in Britain between 2.45pm and 5.15pm, so the earliest the game will be seen is on delay.
“The Barcelona and Real Madrid game will be played on Saturday at 4:15 p.m. The game will not be aired in England because of the TV embargo that is placed at that time,” Tebas told Spanish radio station, Cadena Ser.
“We had three windows we had considered, at 1pm, 4:15 pm and 6:30pm. We analysed those with our audiovisual team and to play at 6 pm is too late in Asia while to play at 1pm is too early for the American market.”
“I look at other leagues when setting the timetable,” Tebas said.
The La Liga president was in India during mid September for the launch of its operational base in India. In a view to popularizing its league, the La Liga launched its operational base in New Delhi.
La Liga sets sights on Indian market, launches its operational base in Delhi
The league which is next to the Premier League in terms of popularity is looking to capture the huge Indian market. The launch programme was also attended by former Real Madrid star and ambassador of the league Fernando Morientes. Also in attendance was the Spanish Davis Cup team who were in Delhi to take part in the Davis Cup tie against India.