Barcelona and Camp Nou were under terrorist threat during 2020 El Clasico

El Clasico is the biggest clash and most-watched fixture in world football. After all, the prospect of arch-rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid facing off is a game very few would want to miss.

However, being the massive crowd-puller it is, the Clasico is highly prone to attacks and controversies and requires the highest grade of security.

During a match between the two teams at Camp Nou in 2020, there were reports of a planned terrorist attack at the venue. According to reports from SPORT, a person accused of collaborating in that plan pled guilty today.

Interestingly enough, this attack was planned when El Clasico was supposed to take place behind closed doors because of COVID-19 protocols.

The accused, Mohammed Yassi Amrani, confessed that he received instructions to carry out a terrorist operation at Barcelona’s stadium with drones and explosives and has been sentenced to three years in prison.

The prosecutor tried to defend his client by saying that the man had undergone a big ‘transformation’ during the COVID pandemic and was no longer linked with such activities.

It was revealed during the court proceedings that the man had sworn an oath of loyalty to fulfil the mission with firm commitment. He also received instructional manuals from the terrorist organisation to train and equip him in the handling of drones and explosives.

After this new revelation, the RFEF and Spanish Authorities must take adequate measures to ensure that no such unfortunate events happen in future El Clasicos. Such disturbing developments in the stands can have a profound impact on the minds of players and hamper the quality of one of football’s finest clashes.