Why UK fans will be unable to watch Barcelona vs Real Madrid this weekend as Bellingham makes El Clasico debut

The upcoming clash between Barcelona and Real Madrid is one of the most-watched games worldwide, known for its intense rivalry and captivating football.

However, for UK football fans, it’s disappointing news as they won’t be able to watch Madrid star Jude Bellingham in action, as the iconic El Clásico won’t be broadcast in the UK.

This restriction is due to a longstanding British law concerning broadcasting rights, known as the 3pm TV blackout rule.

According to this rule, no live football can be aired between 2.45pm and 5.15pm on a Saturday. As El Clásico is scheduled to kick off at 3.30pm UK time on a Saturday, it falls within this blackout period.

The purpose of this law, which dates back to the 1960s, was to encourage fans to attend live matches at stadiums.

Although some argue that it shouldn’t apply to foreign games, the rule remains in place.

Bellingham has previously faced Barcelona in a pre-season friendly, but this will be his first time playing against them in a La Liga match.

While the match won’t be shown on British TV, fans can follow updates on various social channels and live blogs to stay informed about the action.