FC Barcelona supporters at the Spotify Camp Nou displayed thousands of independentist flags during a match against Athletic Club, according to reports from La Vanguardia. The massive display served as a collective protest following an incident involving a minor supporter in Elx who carried an estelada and allegedly faced excessive force from the Spanish National Police.
Camp Nou Crowd Deploys Thousands of Estelades
As the teams walked out of the tunnel prior to the match, fans across the Tribuna, Gol Norte, Gol Sur, and Lateral sections raised thousands of independentist flags, according to La Vanguardia. The Assemblea Nacional Catalana (ANC) distributed 10,000 cardboard flags outside the stadium, though many attendees brought their own flags from home. Two large estelades hung from the second tier down to the first tier in the Lateral section to capture television camera angles. The demonstration marked the largest concentration of independentist flags at the stadium since the height of the political procés movement, with spectators spontaneously singing the Catalan anthem, Els Segadors.
Laporta Suspends World Cup Winner Tribute
FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta opted to cancel a planned pre-match tribute for the club’s World Cup-winning players due to what he determined was an unsuitable political context, as reported by La Vanguardia. The ceremony was intended to honor 26 players who won the World Cup on July 19 in New Jersey for the Spanish national team, a group that included eight players from Barcelona and three from Athletic Club. When stadium public address announcers later warned the crowd that insults were prohibited, spectators responded with loud whistles to drown out the announcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did FC Barcelona fans display flags at the match?
Fans raised independentist flags to protest the alleged excessive force used by the Spanish National Police against a minor supporter in Elx who was carrying an estelada, according to La Vanguardia.
Which organization distributed flags outside the stadium?
The Assemblea Nacional Catalana (ANC) handed out 10,000 cardboard estelades in the areas surrounding the Spotify Camp Nou.
Why was the tribute to World Cup winners canceled?
Club president Joan Laporta suspended the ceremony for the tournament champions because the surrounding atmosphere did not provide the proper context for the event, according to reporting from La Vanguardia.
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