Barcelona have canceled the planned tribute to their eight players who won the World Cup with Spain this summer. The ceremony was originally scheduled to take place Thursday ahead of the LaLiga match against Athletic Club at Camp Nou.
All other clubs featuring members of the ‘La Roja’ squad that lifted the trophy in New Jersey last month have honored their players before their respective home openers.
However, given the tension after Barça fans were beaten and had Estelada flags confiscated before Sunday’s 5-0 win over Elche, Barcelona president Joan Laporta announced on Wednesday that the tribute will not take place.
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The Estelada is the pro-independence flag associated with Catalonia, one of the 17 autonomous communities in Spain.
“The ceremony to honour the world champions will not take place,” Laporta said. “It will not take place because it is not being held in the most appropriate context. [The Royal Spanish Football Federation] understands the decision.”
“Football should be used to unite, not to create certain confrontations. The Estelada represents the mindset of many Barça supporters and Catalans. It is part of freedom of expression.
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“We condemn and reject the disproportionate action of the national police officers who assaulted Barça fans for carrying the Estelada before the Elche game. We demand that this action, once the facts have been confirmed, be met with the appropriate punishment and sanctions.
“We hope that appropriate punishment will help ensure that Catalans and Barça fans can carry the flag without fear of physical harm or stigmatization by the State’s security forces.”
