Clement Lenglet backs decision to postpone Barcelona v Real Madrid over protests

The Spanish football federation approved a request from La Liga to reschedule the October 26 match at the Camp Nou due to continued violent demonstrations

Eibar's Sergio Enrich in action with Barcelona's Arthur - Eibar v FC Barcelona - Ipurua Municipal Stadium, Eibar, Spain. REUTERS

Barcelona's Lionel Messi, left, breaks away during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Eibar and FC Barcelona at the Ipurua stadium in Eibar, Spain. AP Photo

Barcelona's French forward Antoine Griezmann (C) celebrates with Barcelona's Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez and Barcelona's Dutch midfielder Frenkie De Jong after scoring during the Spanish league football match SD Eibar against FC Barcelona at the Ipurua stadium in Eibar. AFP

Barcelona's Lionel Messi, centre left, tries to get though the Eibar defence during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Eibar and FC Barcelona at the Ipurua stadium in Eibar, Spain. AP Photo

FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi (L) vies for the ball with SD Eibar's Jose Angel (R) during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between SD Eibar and FC Barcelona played at Ipurua stadium, in Eibar, northern Spain. EPA

Barcelona's Luis Suarez tries to beat Eibar's goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Eibar and FC Barcelona at the Ipurua stadium in Eibar, Spain. AP Photo

Antoine Griezmann of FC Barcelona in action during the Liga match between SD Eibar SAD and FC Barcelona at Ipurua Municipal Stadium in Eibar, Spain. Getty Images

FC Barcelona's French defender Samuel Umtiti (up) vies for the ball with SD Eibar's striker Sergi Enrich (down) during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between SD Eibar and FC Barcelona played at Ipurua stadium, in Eibar, northern Spain. EPA

Eibar's Sergio Enrich in action with Barcelona's Arthur- Eibar v FC Barcelona - Ipurua Municipal Stadium, Eibar, Spain. REUTERS

Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet has agreed with the decision to potspone next week's clasico against Real Madrid due to the political unrest in Catalonia, while manager Enresto Valverde hopes a new date is chosen soon.

The Spanish football federation (RFEF) on Friday approved a request from La Liga to reschedule the October 26 match at the Camp Nou due to continued violent demonstrations in the city of Barcelona following the jailing of Catalan separatist leaders.

Some 300 people have been arrested in the region since sentences were announced on Monday.

Barca said in a statement on Friday they were in favour of playing the clasico as scheduled despite the unrest, but Lenglet backed the decision to call it off until tensions eased.

"The problems in Barcelona mean it's better to postpone the game but the decision is the federation's and the league's, the players have no say," Lenglet told reporters after Barca's 3-0 win at Eibar on Saturday.

"I want to play the clasico on any date, we can't make excuses and say what date suits us better or worse, we have to play it whenever we are told to."

The two clubs said they have agreed to play the game on December 18 but La Liga's president Javier Tebas has expressed his opposition to that option in a letter to the RFEF, arguing the game should be played on December 4, the next available date.

Barca manager Valverde had previously said that he wanted the game to go ahead as planned but after the decision was made he urged La Liga and the RFEF to put their differences aside and confirm a date for the rescheduled game.

"I hope and trust that we'll play this game before the first half of the season ends, or at least before the end of the season," he said.

"It's fashionable to not come to any consensus in political matters at the moment but I hope an agreement can be reached on this. It can't be that hard."