El Clasico abroad could be ‘very positive’ for La Liga, says ex-Real Madrid star, as Bellingham takes plaudits
- Football’s global governing body Fifa considering relaxing the rule preventing domestic fixtures from being played abroad
- Real Madrid complete La Liga double over Barcelona after Jude Bellingham strikes late to secure victory for champions-elect
Former Real Madrid forward Julio Baptista said taking El Clasico fixture abroad could be a “very positive” move for the Spanish top flight.
This view comes as Carlo Ancelotti’s Real overcame arch-rivals Barcelona in a thrilling five-goal contest on Sunday, following a late winner from English phenomenon Jude Bellingham.
Spanish football has already flirted with overseas territories, relocating its Super Cup to Saudi Arabia, resulting in Barcelona meeting Real Madrid in Riyadh in each of the past three seasons. The sides will clash in New Jersey in August for a fourth USA- staged friendly in seven years
The global governing body’s potential reversal, part of an agreement to dismiss Fifa from a lawsuit issued by promoter Relevant Sports to challenge the current rules, raised the prospect of Hong Kong’s new 50,000-seat stadium at Kai Tak Sports Park, which is scheduled to open in 2025, staging matches from the world’s biggest leagues.
Baptista made three Clasico appearances, the highlight being in December 2007, when he scored the only goal of the game at Barcelona’s Camp Nou during Real Madrid’s title-winning campaign.
