FIFA '15: El Clasico appears to be in the process of being rigged!

There are few larger matches than Spain's El Clasico rivalry between the only two relevant teams in Spanish soccer, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

The next match in this rivalry is supposed to be November 21, and according to Deadspin through The Independent, one of the assigned officials has cried foul on the match, a month before it is to take place!

A linesman (remaining anonymous) assigned to the match has said he has been ordered to favor Real Madrid in the match.  This is not surprising, frankly:  Barcelona has been exposed as having their run at the top of European soccer done, at best, at the edge of the rules - if not breaking them.

"The linesman has also reported Jose Angel Jimenez Munoz de Morales, a member of the referees’ committee, for allegedly contacting him directly to put extra pressure on the official to rule in Real’s favour."

And then, the complaint says way too much about the current state of world soccer!!!

"Later, in the same document, it specificed [sic] that it’s the principle referee of the officiating team who called the assistant to say “it would be more convenient if the most difficult decisions in this game are not taken by the main referee, as it generates more controversy in the media, but by my client, the assistant.”

Vicente continued: “If the decisions are made by the assistant, it was considered, less controversy would be generated and it would also dilute more quickly. In addition, it was also stated that this practice has already been tested in 2014-15 and that, precisely, on that occasion the main referee was exposed and critised by the media. For that reason, it was convenient to be more subtle.”

One to definitely watch for here.  This season is not only seen as a possible rig-job for Real Madrid for the national league title, but Barcelona's recent UEFA transfer ban might be seen as a signal that there is grave distaste for the European juggernaut in Spain's capital city.