Why Real Madrid vs Barcelona will no longer be called ‘El Clásico’

Real Madrid and Barcelona have been banned from using the term El Clasico to describe the sport's most famous derby whenever they lock horns.

El Clasico is renowned for consistently being one of the best and most heated matchups in Europe, with Real Madrid and Barcelona often tearing into each other both on and off the pitch.

The two Spanish powerhouses have also produced some of the best player rivalries in football, with the most recent involving Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

And now, according to publication, Relevo, the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office has ruled that neither club can use the name to market matches or to stoke rivalry for the foreseeable future.

The decision was made after it appeared the aforementioned office had rejected Real Madrid's attempt to trademark the term El Clasico.

The term was declared to be too similar to the name that La Liga has been using, ElClásico, according to this judgement.

As per Forbes, the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office believes the term is 'already renowned and sufficiently established'.

It is also said there are concerns that the reputation of the Spanish domestic league could be questioned if the two teams continue to use the term to refer to their regular derby matches.

Barca and Real Madrid have a month to decide whether they will launch an appeal or not.

If the clubs do so and the ruling is not overturned, it will come as a major blow to both parties, who organise events all over the world using the term El Clasico when they meet on the pitch.

In 2022/2023 alone, there have been five meetings between the two outfits spread among La Liga, the Spanish Super Cup, and the Copa del Rey, Sports Bible reports.

A sixth clash also took place in Las Vegas during the pre-season, and a similar friendly will be enjoyed by American fans in Dallas this summer.