El Clasico temporarily halted after pro-Catalan independence protesters disrupt Barcelona vs Real Madrid

Protesters targeted the Nou Camp pitch with large inflatable yellow balls that caused the Liga clash to be halted midway through the second half

Protesters forced the Clasico to be temporarily halted by throwing balls onto the pitch (Getty)

The Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid was momentarily halted after pro-Catalan protesters threw a number of inflatable balls onto the pitch.

As the match at the Nou Camp approached the hour-mark, referee Alejandro Hernandez Hernandez was forced to stop play as fans pelted the pitch in what appeared to be a pre-planned protest.

Some of the balloons had written on them "Youngster, the republic needs you", while other bore the message "Sit and Talk".

The Liga fixture was being played on Wednesday night having already been postponed from its initial 26 October date to due to unrest in the Barcelona area, where protesters in favour of Catalan independence caused the match to be moved out of a fear for public safety.

The build-up to Wednesday night’s match passed largely without incident, with protesters outside the Nou Camp choosing to display flags and banners while marshalled by hundreds of police deployed by authorities to keep the peace.

A yellow balloon reading "Youngster, the republic needs you" thrown onto the Nou Camp pitch (Getty)

A steward helps to clear the pitch during a protest at El Clasico (Getty)

However, the inflatables suddenly appeared midway through the second half from a specific corner of the Nou Camp, though the pitch was quickly cleared and play was only held up for a few minutes before it was able to resume, with the two sides remaining out on the pitch while the disruption unfolded.