Del Bosque praises Real's Figo after Barcelona shame

Last night's 0-0 draw between Barcelona and Real Madrid was overshadowed by disgraceful scenes which led to the game being postponed for 13 minutes.

Former Barca star Luis Figo, who was subject to intense barracking by the Nou Camp crowd, was pelted by missiles at a corner of the pitch midway through the second-half, forcing referee Medina Cantalejo to suspend the game and take the players off.

The fallout afterwards is sure to run for sometime, with Barcelona president Joan Gaspart and also vice-president Francesc Closa suggesting Figo provoked the home crowd and also criticised the Portuguese star for taking corners, which led him to be within in touching distance of the home support.

Barcelona dominated the game and had a goal disallowed when Patrick Kluivert found a way past Real keeper Iker Casillas.

Afterwards, Real trainer Vicente del Bosque hit back at critics who suggested Figo should not have taken the corners.

"It's ridiculous," he fumed. "We did that two years ago because we thought it would be the best solution - and were criticised for it."

"Now we do the reverse and the fans have not allowed it."

Del Bosque also praised Figo, adding: "He put in an enormous effort considering the pressure he was under."

"We all appreciate the great work he devotes to Real Madrid - both personally and also on the pitch."