Barcelona Club Cancels World Cup Ceremony Due to Catalan Flag Incident

The Barcelona club announced that it has canceled the official honoring ceremony it planned to hold for its players who are Spain World Cup champions, following a tension over the Catalan independence symbol estelada flag between police and a fan.

Reason for Canceling the Ceremony

The Barcelona club abandoned the honoring ceremony for Spain's World Cup champions, which was planned to take place during the first home match of the season, following the incident of police intervention against fans and the confiscation of flags.

The club management criticized the disproportionate use of force and the confiscation decision by the police, stating that it was not appropriate to hold a ceremony under these conditions.

Estelada Flag Protest at the Stadium

Within the scope of a protest organized by a local group before the Athletic Bilbao match, thousands of small estelada flags were distributed to fans in the Camp Nou stands.

During the match ceremony, fans showed support by raising these independence symbol flags into the air along with the club anthem.

Police Intervention and Reactions

The incidents escalated last week before the Elche match when police confiscated an estelada flag from a young fan, intervened, and detained the supporter.

The Catalan club argued that the flag is a legal expression of freedom, does not incite violence or hatred, and that the police's use of force was unjust.

Statements from the Club President

Barcelona Club President Joan Laporta emphasized that the peacefully conducted flag protest represents the right to freedom of expression of the Catalans.

Laporta stated that football should unite rather than generate conflict, and expressed that the Spanish football federation also understands the club's stance.