Barcelona Drops Spain World Cup Tribute, Backs Catalan Flag Display
Barcelona cancels tribute to its Spain World Cup winners, instead supporting the estelada flag after a fan's flag was confiscated by police.
Barcelona has called off a planned tribute to its eight Spain World Cup winners ahead of Thursday's home opener against Athletic Bilbao, opting instead for an act of support for the estelada, Catalonia's pro-independence flag.
The decision follows an incident last weekend when police confiscated an estelada flag from a young fan before Barcelona's match at Elche. The fan was struck with batons and detained after confronting the officers, sparking outrage.
The club expressed regret over the confiscation, stating that the estelada is a legally endorsed symbol and its display is a legitimate exercise of freedom of expression. Barcelona called the detention procedure disproportionate and the use of force unjustified.
In place of the tribute, a Catalan organization planned to distribute 10,000 estelada flags outside Camp Nou before kickoff. Club president Joan Laporta described the event as a peaceful act of exaltation of the flag, representing Catalans' right to free expression.
Laporta said it was not the appropriate moment to honor the Spain players, adding that soccer should unite, not generate confrontations. He noted that the Spanish soccer federation understood the club's position.
The eight Barcelona players who helped Spain win the World Cup are Joan García, Eric García, Pedri, Pau Cubarsí, Gavi, Rodri, Dani Olmo, and Lamine Yamal.