Real Madrid ask La Liga to play first three games of coming season away from home as they look to complete key work on renovatio

Real Madrid have requested permission from La Liga to play their first three games of the new season away from the Bernabeu in order to complete work on its renovation.

The club are beginning a three-and-a-half-year scheme of work on the famous stadium, which will include a new retractable roof and a new East Stand.

The planned works are expected to cost in the region of €800million (£716m) and will be completed over the close season.

This summer, the works will focus on demolishing the now-closed Esquina del Bernabéu shopping centre and removing the Bernabeu roof.

From there, the East Stand will be built and the west side towers will be knocked down with two more central structures erected to support the new roof. 

Madrid expect permission to be granted after city rivals Atletico were allowed similar dispensation when completing their Metropolitano stadium.

The fixtures for Liga will be announced on Thursday July 4, and at that point the conditions will be taken into account and confirmation provided.