Barcelona abandoned plans to honor the eight Spain World Cup winners in its squad before Thursday’s La Liga match against Athletic Club, turning a planned celebration at Camp Nou into a show of support for Catalonia’s pro-independence flag.
The decision came after clashes between Spanish national police and Barcelona supporters before Sunday’s 5-0 victory at Elche. Police confiscated Estelada flags, a symbol of Catalan independence, and one supporter was reportedly struck and detained after confronting officers.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta said Wednesday that the club decided the ceremony could not go ahead in the current climate.
“The ceremony to honor 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 Spanish Football Federation understands the decision.”
Instead, a local group organized an Estelada display inside Camp Nou, with about 10,000 small flags distributed to supporters before kickoff.
The tribute had been intended to recognize the eight Barcelona players who were part of Spain’s World Cup-winning team in New Jersey last month. Several other Spanish clubs have already honored their international stars during the opening weeks of the domestic season.
Laporta also criticized the police response at Elche and defended supporters’ right to display the Estelada.
“We condemn and reject the disproportionate action of the national police officers who assaulted Barca fans for carrying the Estelada before the Elche game,” Laporta said. He called for the incident to be investigated and for appropriate sanctions if wrongdoing is confirmed.
“Football should be used to unite, not to create certain confrontations,” Laporta said. “The Estelada represents the mindset of many Barca supporters and Catalans. It is part of freedom of expression.”
The political backdrop did not prevent Barcelona from maintaining its perfect start to the league season.
Raphinha and Fermin Lopez scored in each half as Barcelona defeated Athletic 2-0 for its second consecutive victory while beginning its title defense.
Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon, Spain’s starter at the World Cup, kept the score close with a string of impressive saves, but Barcelona eventually found a way through.
Lamine Yamal had Barcelona’s first clear chance in the 11th minute, curling a left-footed effort wide before forcing Simon into a stretching save eight minutes later.
Raphinha then headed Espart’s cross against the post in the 25th minute.
Barcelona appeared to take the lead four minutes later when Pedri found the bottom corner, but the goal was ruled out after Yamal was judged to have been offside in the buildup.
Raphinha finally broke the deadlock in the 37th minute.
Pedri won possession near midfield, turned forward and threaded a pass through the Athletic defense. Raphinha rounded Simon and finished from a tight angle into an empty net.
Simon kept Athletic within reach before halftime, blocking Yamal’s close-range effort.
Barcelona continued to dominate after the break. Yamal hit the crossbar with a deflected shot in the 54th minute, while Simon twice denied Fermin, including a reflex stop against the midfielder’s volley.
The home crowd then welcomed another of Spain’s World Cup champions.
Rodri, who joined Barcelona from Manchester City after captaining Spain to the World Cup title, entered in the 63rd minute to make his debut for the Catalan club.
“I’m happy to play my first game with Barcelona, happy for the victory, the second in a row for the team,” Rodri said. “It’s important to start gaining rhythm. I felt good with my first minutes.”
Athletic came close to an equalizer in the 75th minute when Oihan Sancet’s long-range effort struck the post.
Fermin settled the match eight minutes later after capitalizing on a mistake by Athletic defender Aymeric Laporte to make it 2-0.
Karim Adeyemi nearly added a third late on, but Simon blocked his close-range effort.
Simon was named man of the match despite Athletic’s defeat after keeping Barcelona from turning its dominance into a more emphatic victory.
The result extended Barcelona’s home winning streak in La Liga to 20 matches and gave the defending champions six points from their opening two games.
Athletic, meanwhile, remain without a point after losing their opener 3-1 to Sevilla.
