Barcelona scraps Spain World Cup tribute amid fans’ Catalan flag support
Summary
Barcelona did not honor its players who won the World Cup with Spain at its first home game because of controversy over the Catalan independence flag called the estelada. Instead, a local group held a pro-independence flag display at the stadium, where thousands of fans showed support for Catalonia’s independence movement.Key Facts
- Barcelona planned to honor its eight players who won the World Cup with Spain at their home game.
- The tribute was canceled after a fan was detained by police for showing the estelada flag, a symbol of Catalan independence.
- Police used force when removing the flag from a young fan before a recent match, leading to criticism from the club.
- Barcelona said the estelada is a legal symbol and showing it is a form of free speech.
- About 10,000 small estelada flags were handed out to fans before the game, and many waved them during the anthem.
- Barcelona’s president, Joan Laporta, called the flag display a peaceful act supporting freedom of expression.
- Laporta said the timing was not right for the Spain player tribute, wanting soccer to unite rather than divide people.
- The Spanish football federation was reported to understand Barcelona’s decision not to hold the tribute.
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