On Sunday, two of the biggest clubs in world football, Barcelona and Real Madrid, will face off for their fourth El Clasico of the season. However, this time the stakes are higher for Real Madrid, who are trailing Barcelona by nine points in the league. A victory for Barcelona could widen the gap to 12 points and all but end Real Madrid’s chances of winning the title this season.

The historic rivalry between the two clubs has produced many unforgettable moments on and off the pitch. Recently, it has taken a new turn with Barcelona’s involvement in a refereeing scandal. Former Barcelona presidents have been charged with corruption over payments made to a company owned by a referee, Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, which allegedly gave Barcelona preferential treatment and referee assignments. Real Madrid has spoken out against this, and the charges have put further strain on the already tense relationship between the two clubs.

Real Madrid has expressed concern over the allegations and its confidence in the justice system. They have also announced that they plan to appear in the procedure as soon as the judge opens it to the parties harmed. While Real Madrid had previously formed an unlikely alliance with Barcelona against the rest of football and even supported the breakaway European Super League initiative together, the charges going to court have seen Los Blancos start to distance themselves from Barca.

Real Madrid President Florentino Perez held an emergency board meeting to determine the club’s response, and fan protests have already taken place during the Copa Del Rey semifinal. Although the fallout from this scandal may not have an immediate impact on the pitch, it could have far-reaching implications in the future.

Barcelona maintains its innocence, but the charges may not be enough to repair the relationship with Real Madrid. The two clubs will meet again in the second leg of their Copa Del Rey semifinal, ensuring that tensions will remain high. Regardless of what happens, El Clasico remains one of the most anticipated matches in the football calendar.