FC Barcelona's plans to celebrate their players' World Cup victory are on the brink of collapse due to escalating tensions between the club and its separatist fanbase.
The club is considering abandoning a ceremony to showcase the 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy at the Spotify Camp Nou ahead of Thursday's LaLiga match against Athletic Club. Seven Barça players were part of Luis de la Fuente's squad that claimed victory over Argentina in North America last month.
FC Barcelona has confirmed that they are awaiting "explanations corresponding to the events" and reserve the right to take actions to defend the integrity, rights, and freedom of expression of its members and fans. The club's statement comes after Sunday's trip to Elche, which saw Barcelona claim a convincing victory to kickstart their LaLiga campaign, was marred by an act of violence.
Sunday's violence in Elche involved police officers using disproportionate force to detain a fan, believed to be a minor, who had an Estelada flag draped over his shoulders. The Estelada is a version of the Catalan senyera flag that features a star and represents the fight for independence from Spain.
The ANC, or Catalan National Assembly, has shared plans to hand out 10,000 Estelada flags at the Spotify Camp Nou ahead of kick-off. Some of the club's most influential fan groups, including Penya Almogàvers, have united to launch a campaign titled "Enough Repression in the Stands".
The Sang Culé Cor Català fan group had already planned to carry out a "Nothing to Celebrate" protest on Thursday, which they stated would "respect the players of our club and their sporting achievements, but we do not share or feel represented by the heralding of a team and of a state that is not ours." They invite all culers who share this feeling to bring the Estelada and make their voices heard.
The separatist movement's involvement in the football club's activities is not new. In recent years, the club has faced similar tensions between its fans and the Spanish authorities. The club has often walked a fine line between respecting the rights of its fans and avoiding conflict with the Spanish Football Federation.
The situation at Barcelona is a microcosm of the broader tensions between Catalonia and the Spanish state. The Catalan national team, which competes in international tournaments under the Spanish flag, has been a focal point of the separatist movement's demands for recognition and representation.
Thursday's match against Athletic Club kicks off at 20:00 BST, and it remains to be seen whether the planned protests will go ahead. The club's decision on the ceremony to celebrate the World Cup victory is expected to be made in the coming hours.
Source: Yahoo Sports