Real Madrid have requested that their final league fixture of the season is scheduled to accommodate preparations for a Taylor Swift concert.
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Real Madrid file request for switchFinal fixture scheduled for Bernabeu on May 26Megastar to play stadium four days laterGettyWHAT HAPPENED?
Los Blancosaredue to host Real Betis in a game that may be vital in deciding the La Liga title and European qualification. That match is currently slated for Sunday May 26, four days before Swift's 'Eras' tour visits the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. reports that the club have made an official request to LaLiga to play the fixture at a time and date which allows them the opportunity to arrange the stadium for the gig.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE EXPLANATION
While the fixture is provisionally scheduled for May 26, Spanish fixtures are somewhat of a moveable feast and are regularly arranged based on a number of sporting and external factors.
In the final weeks of the season, organisers usually seek to schedule games in groups across different days and kick off slots depending on permutations involving the title, European qualification and relegation. While it's very possible that the game may have been moved to the Saturday, Madrid's request adds a further factor into the mix for fixture planning department.
Getty Images DID YOU KNOW?
The European leg of Swift's tour is staging something of a takeover of Europe's top football venues this summer. Lyon, Benfica, Liverpool, Ajax, Schalke, Hamburg are all hosting the 34-year-old as well as national stadiums in England, Wales, Ireland and Sweden.
WHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?
Real Madrid will be hoping to wrap the league up early both for sporting and logistical reasons and having opened up a six-point lead over early season pace-setters Girona there's every chance matters will be settled when Betis arrive. The main focus at the Bernabeu this weekend will be former captain Sergio Ramos, who returns for the first time since ending his trophy-laden 16-year spell at the club.