Catalan Unrest Pushes Barcelona Game Behind Closed Doors

Barcelona’s La Liga game against Las Palmas was played behind closed doors on Sunday because of the unrest in the city following the Calalan independence referendum.

The decision was taken over fears police could not guarantee safety at the fixture, dw.com reported.

Catalonia held a referendum on independence from Spain on Sunday, which has been declared unconstitutional and illegal by the country’s ruling Partido Popular.

FC Barcelona had received numerous requests from supporters to postpone the game and some reports in Spain suggested they applied for its cancellation to the Spanish League.

However, the majority of Barcelona players wanted to play the fixture and with Las Palmas players already out on the pitch before kick-off the confusion continued.

It was ultimately decided that the game go ahead without spectators and with thousands locked out of the Camp Nou. A club statement said: “FC Barcelona condemns the events which have taken place in many parts of Catalonia today to prevent its citizens exercising their democratic rights.”

“Given the exceptional nature of events, the board of directors have decided that the FC Barcelona first team game against Las Palmas will be played behind closed doors following the Professional Football League’s refusal to postpone the game,” the statement added.