Why is Barcelona vs Real Madrid NOT on TV this weekend? All you need to know ahead of Jude Bellingham’s El Clasico debut
REAL MADRID travel to Barcelona this weekend for a massive El Clasico clash in La Liga.
The game marks Jude Bellingham‘s first as a Real Madrid player, and he’ll be keen to impress on his debut in the fixture.
Bellingham has been Los Blancos’ best player this season, scoring 11 goals in 12 games so far.
Barcelona are currently third in La Liga, 1 point behind Real Madrid, who sit top of the league.
A win over their big rivals would put them at the summit of the table, unless second place Girona win at the weekend.
It should be a cracking fixture, but fans in the UK won’t be able to watch it.
Why is Barcelona vs Real Madrid not on TV?
Barcelona vs Real Madrid will take place at 3.15pm BST on Saturday, October 28.
But because of the UK’s 3pm TV blackout rule, fans over here won’t be able to catch the game.
The rule states that no football can be broadcast live between 2.45pm and 5.15pm on Saturdays.
Not many knew that the rule extended to games being played in foreign leagues, but the rule is there to encourage fans to attend stadiums on a Saturday instead.
Keegan Pierce, managing director of LALIGA UK & Ireland, said: “We’re disappointed that British fans cannot watch ElClásico this weekend, due to the UK’s self-imposed Saturday 3pm blackout rule.
“While we fully support measures to promote attendance up and down the pyramid, we believe the blackout should be limited to televising of domestic football, not overseas competitions, who have no voice nor vote in the matter.
“This is a topic we look forward to discussing with football stakeholders in the UK during the coming months.”