Heavy security measures in place for El Clasico

"Draconian security measures" will be taken to protect people attending Saturday's El Clasico football match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, Spanish Interior Minister Jorge Fernandez Diaz has said.

"We are on anti-terrorist alert four and there will be extensive security so as to guarantee that the match takes place with complete normality," he said on Wednesday evening, adding he had "full confidence in the state security forces and in all those who will contribute."

Altogether 1,000 police and 1,400 private security guards, supported by civil protection agencies, ambulance services and the fire brigade, will be sent to protect the match.

"We want to give out a message of calm and serenity as far as the circumstances permit," the minister said.

According to Spanish officials, heavy security measures will be in place to avoid similar terrorist attacks in Paris on November 13.

An estimated 78,000 fans will be watching the match in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium and around 1 billion people worldwide will be watching it on TV.

Spain remains on level four terror alert out of a scale of five after Paris attacks, which killed 129 people.

Despite the match might become an obvious target for terrorist attack, Spanish authorities decided to resume football matches scheduled for the coming weekend.

The match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona will be preceded by a minute's silence for victims of Paris attacks. Endit