Severe weather warnings have brought lightning that could imperil what promises to be one of the highlights of the pre-season calendar.
El Clasico, the highly anticipated pre-season friendly match between Real Madrid and Barcelona, has been suspended due to thunderstorms. Play lasted 30 minutes before match officials called time as conditions worsened.
“The rain is falling much more intensely now,” as reported Manu de Juan reports. “It’s quite something, how hard it’s falling.”
The weather forecast for New Jersey indicated heavy rain and thunderstorms throughout the evening. The National Weather Service had issued a severe thunderstorm watch, warning of possible strong winds, heavy rainfall, and lightning. This watch is in effect until late evening, coinciding with the scheduled kickoff time of 7:00 PM local time, though it is now pushed back.
Will the game restart?
If lightning strikes within a diameter of 8 miles, the game must be suspended and both teams and spectators must take cover. The game would only be resumed after 30 minutes without a lightning strike within the aforementioned diameter.
At this stage the continuous storms mean a return to play is impossible, but we will let you know if something changes.