FC Barcelona cancelled a planned tribute for their Spain World Cup winners before Thursday’s LaLiga home opener amid a dispute over the display of Catalan independence flags. Instead of celebrating the eight world champions, the evening at Camp Nou unfolded against the backdrop of a pro-independence flag campaign.
The ceremony had been scheduled before the home meeting with Athletic Club. Speaking ahead of the match, Barcelona president Joan Laporta said the club had decided against holding it because the atmosphere surrounding the fixture was not suitable.
“The ceremony to honour the world champions will not take place. It will not take place because it is not being held in the most appropriate context. The Royal Spanish Football Federation understands the decision,” Laporta said.
“Football should be used to unite, not to create certain confrontations. The Estelada represents the mindset of many Bara supporters and Catalans. It is part of freedom of expression.”
The decision followed an incident before Barcelona’s previous league game at Elche, where a fan had an Estelada flag confiscated by police and was later involved in a confrontation with officers. The club condemned what it considered excessive use of force and said the flag itself should not be treated as an incitement to hatred or violence.
WHY BARCELONA SCRAPPED THE TRIBUTE
The Estelada, a flag associated with Catalan independence, became the dominant visual at Camp Nou instead. A local organisation distributed around 10,000 of the flags ahead of the Athletic Club match, with supporters raising them during Barcelona’s anthem. Larger flags and banners were also displayed inside the stadium, while thousands reportedly joined a march around the ground.
Laporta said Barcelona was not directly organising the display but defended supporters’ right to use the symbol.
“We condemn and reject the disproportionate action of the national police officers who assaulted Bara fans for carrying the Estelada before the Elche game,” he said. “We demand that this action, once the facts have been confirmed, be met with the appropriate punishment and sanctions.”
The cancellation was particularly noticeable because other Spanish clubs had honoured members of the country’s World Cup-winning squad during their opening home matches. Some of those ceremonies also featured Spain coach Luis de la Fuente and the World Cup trophy.
Barcelona had eight players from the victorious squad, more than any other club. Joan Garca, Eric Garca, Pedri, Pau Cubars, Gavi, Rodri, Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal were all originally due to be recognised.
BARCELONA WIN AGAIN, NOW TURN TO RAYO
Despite the unusual backdrop, Barcelona continued their strong start to the new LaLiga season with a 2-0 victory over Athletic Club at Camp Nou. Raphinha opened the scoring before Fermin López added the second in the 82nd minute, while Rodri made his competitive debut for the club.
The result followed Barcelona’s 5-0 away win at Elche in their opening league game, giving Hansi Flick’s side six points from their first two matches.
Barcelona’s next LaLiga fixture is at home against Rayo Vallecano on August 31, before they travel to face Valencia on September 6.
– Ends
