World News
Barcelona cancels tribute to Spain World Cup winners over pro-independence flag incident
The club altered its pre-game plans following a dispute over police detaining a fan with a Catalan pro-independence flag.
The short version
- FC Barcelona canceled a planned tribute to eight of its players who won the World Cup with Spain ahead of its home opener against Athletic Bilbao.
- The decision follows a recent incident at a game in Elche where police confiscated a Catalan pro-independence 'estelada' flag from a fan and detained him.
- Instead of the player tribute, an initiative was organized to distribute 10,000 estelada flags to supporters at Camp Nou in defense of free expression.
Key facts
- Barcelona canceled a planned ceremony to honor its eight World Cup-winning Spain players prior to its Spanish league match against Athletic Bilbao.[Associated Press]
- The eight Barcelona players on the World Cup roster are Joan García, Eric García, Pedri, Pau Cubarsí, Gavi, Rodri, Dani Olmo, and Lamine Yamal.[Associated Press]
- The club's decision was prompted by an incident at Elche where police took an estelada flag from a young fan and struck him with batons before detaining him after he confronted officers.[Associated Press]
- Barcelona described the police force used against the fan as disproportionate and uncalled for, defending the estelada flag as a legal symbol of free expression.[Associated Press]
- A Catalan group planned to distribute 10,000 estelada flags outside Camp Nou stadium before the match.[Associated Press]
- Barcelona President Joan Laporta stated that the timing was not right for the player tribute, adding that the Spanish soccer federation understood the club's stance.[Associated Press]