Atletico, Real to play friendly in Gil's honour

Atletico Madrid will play a friendly against city rivals Real Madrid next month in honour of former club president Jesus Gil.

"We have reached an agreement with Real to honour the memory of Gil on Dec. 30," Atletico president Enrique Cerezo told radio station Onda Cero on Thursday.

"All the first team players will be there because they have to be back from their holidays by this date."

Gil, who died on May 14, 2004, was the notoriously outspoken president of Atletico from 1987 until 2003, when he stepped down. Gil's family remain the major shareholders.

It was during his presidency that the club won their last major honours -- the league and cup double of 1996.

The match will be played at Atletico's Vicente Calderon stadium.