This evening's El Clasico clash between Real Madrid and Barcelona will have the biggest ever security operation at a sporting event following the recent Paris terror attacks, according to Spain's minister of security.
Attacks across Paris last week included explosions outside the Stade de France during a friendly between France and Germany, before Tuesday's game between Germany and the Netherlands was cancelled due to security concerns at the HDI Arena.
Spanish authorities are refusing to take any risks ahead of El Clasico, which is generally considered to be the most popular club football game around the world.
"There will be 1,000 members of the national police force on duty along with 1,400 agents from a private security company along with the local Madrid fire brigade, ambulance crews and local police," Spain minister of security Francisco Martinez Vazquez told Herrera en Cope.
"The control process to secure access to the stadium will be rigorous. There will be an added tier of security ring carrying out additional checks. This will be the highest security operation at a sporting event and it's true that this particular game of football does have huge global impact.
"We understand it to be a high-risk game, which is normal, but with the country being on a level four scale then it's necessary to reinforce our security operation around this match. With the country on this alert level, other football matches will see a higher security presence but El Clasico is a case apart due to its worldwide connotations."
On the field, competition will be strong as hosts Real look to overtake Barca at the top of La Liga on goal difference with three points.
Miles Jolliffe
