Figo pelted by missiles in El Derbi draw
Former Catalan idol Luis Figo was subjected to a torrent of vitriolic abuse every time he touched the ball, but more seriously, was repeatedly pelted with bottles and fruit.
Midway through the second half, Figo was swamped by a tidal wave of objects hurled from a corner of Camp Nou and such was the extent of the brainless hooliganism, the referee had little option but to suspend the enthralling encounter.
The players were off the field for a total of 13 minutes before they returned with Figo still being hounded by the home crowd.
The pre-match drama revolved around another Barcelona old boy, Ronaldo, who was an 11th hour absentee with flu.
The match itself was a typically absorbing tussle between the two Spanish superpowers, although clear-cut chances were at a premium.
Patrick Kluivert had Barca's best chance of the opening period when his back-header forced Iker Casillas to scamper backwards to tip the ball over the bar.
At the opposite end, a Figo corner should have been converted by Esteban Cambiasso but his shot was too close to Roberto Bonano.
Portuguese ace Figo was also harshly booked for a foul on Philippe Cocu, particularly in the light of several robust challenges on himself.
After the break, Barca emerged a different team with coach Louis Van Gaal's words clearly ringing in their ears.
They stepped up the tempo and had a goal controversially disallowed after Kluivert had tapped into the net.
Gaizka Mendieta should have done better with a free header while Cocu sneaked in at the back post unmarked but failed to hit the target.
Then came the ugly scenes as Figo was pelted with missiles as he prepared to take a corner. He almost provided the perfect riposte as his corner nearly crept under the bar but was tipped over by Bonano.
It was as Figo attempted to take the second corner that the referee called a halt to proceedings before giving the match a second chance to be completed.
The suspension interrupted Barca's rhythm but deep into injury-time a fierce Frank de Boer free-kick was palmed over by Casillas and a Cocu header hacked off the line.
It is now almost 20 years since Real last savoured victory in Camp Nou but they will leave Catalunya with a bitter taste in their mouths after the idiotic behaviour of the home fans.
Elsewhere in La Liga, leaders Real Sociedad could only muster a 0-0 stalemate at struggling Rayo Vallecano.
Deportivo La Coruna failed to make serious inroads into Sociedad's lead at the top of La Liga after being held to a 1-1 draw at Sevilla.
The hosts, who are struggling at the wrong end of the table, grabbed an early lead courtesy of Antonito after just three minutes.
Javier Irureta's side pressed for an equaliser and snatched their reward three minutes after the interval through the prolific Roy Makaay.
Click below for an individual match summary:
La Liga
Barcelona 0-0 Real Madrid
Rayo Vallecano 0-0 Real Sociedad
Sevilla 1-1 Deportivo La Coruna
Click here for La Liga table
