Barcelona abandoned plans to honor the eight Spain World Cup winners in its squad before Thursday’s La Liga match against Athletic Club, turning a planned celebration at Camp Nou into a show of support for Catalonia’s pro-independence flag.
The decision came after clashes between Spanish national police and Barcelona supporters before Sunday’s 5-0 victory at Elche. Police confiscated Estelada flags, a symbol of Catalan independence, and one supporter was reportedly struck and detained after confronting officers.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta said Wednesday that the club decided the ceremony could not go ahead in the current climate.
“The ceremony to honor the world champions will not take place,” Laporta said. “It will not take place because it is not being held in the most appropriate context. The Spanish Football Federation understands the decision.”
Instead, a local group organized an Estelada display inside Camp Nou, with about 10,000 small flags distributed to supporters before kickoff.
