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FC Barcelona makes itself clearly heard on Catalonia issue

By Chiranjib Ghosh

Catalan football fans hold Esteladas and flag reading 'Yes' before the Spanish league football match Girona FC vs FC Barcelona at the Montilivi stadium in Girona on September 23, 2017.Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy asked Catalan separatist leaders today to own up they can't hold an outlawed independence referendum after a crackdown dealt them a serious blow this week. / AFP PHOTO / Josep LAGO (Photo credit should read JOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty Images)
Catalan football fans hold Esteladas and flag reading 'Yes' before the Spanish league football match Girona FC vs FC Barcelona at the Montilivi stadium in Girona on September 23, 2017.Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy asked Catalan separatist leaders today to own up they can't hold an outlawed independence referendum after a crackdown dealt them a serious blow this week. / AFP PHOTO / Josep LAGO (Photo credit should read JOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty Images) /
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Barcelona will stand with the Catalan people on the issue of Catalonia

BARCELONA, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 13: Barcelona fans hold up Pro-Catalan Independence flags prior to the UEFA Champions League Group C match between FC Barcelona and Celtic FC at Camp Nou on September 13, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 13: Barcelona fans hold up Pro-Catalan Independence flags prior to the UEFA Champions League Group C match between FC Barcelona and Celtic FC at Camp Nou on September 13, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) /

As the desire for independence burns in the heart of every Catalan, Barcelona have decided to step up and make itself clearly heard. The referendum on independence from Spain which took place on the 1st of October was laced with violence.

The Spanish government unfairly used its police force to stop the referendum from going through. It used an order from the Constitutional Court as a reason for it’s unwise decision. But the biggest sporting institution in Catalonia has decided to speak up as well as act.

Barcelona hosted Las Palmas behind closed doors on the voting day. Later, Josep Maria Bartomeu gave a speech on the issue. Although he is not a very good administrator, there is no denying that he is a true Catalan.

"He said, “At such a transcendental moment in our history, FC Barcelona reasserts its commitment to freedom and to the people of Catalonia. What we witnessed in our country yesterday was inadmissible. We demand respect for the people of Catalonia and we shall once again stand alongside its legitimate representatives.More from Everything BarcaFC Barcelona tracking Belgian WonderkidFC Barcelona vs Betis Player RatingsBarça boss Xavi to get contract extensionFC Barcelona planning swoop for Arsenal midfielderBarcelona interested in €30 million wonderkidWe Catalans have won the right to be heard. As one of the leading entities in the country, we are appealing for political solutions to be found, in full respect for the people’s wishes.In our position as a club of such global scope, we shall continue to tell the world about the reality of what’s happening in our country and our commitment to its people and their freedoms, a commitment to which the club has remained faithful throughout its 118 years of history.We shall be making use of our presence on international sporting bodies and shall take every opportunity we have to do so. To end, we would like to express our solidarity with all the anonymous citizens who yesterday stood up for something so valuable as is our democracy. Here at Barça we also stand beside the 893 people that were victims of these aggressions, and wish them a rapid and complete recovery.Visca el Barça and Visca Catalunya.”"

Later, the club even announced that it would remain closed on the 3rd of October to respect a strike called by the Taula per la Democràcia’ (Table for Democracy). Even the players have joined in.

Gerard Piqué has openly endorsed the independence bid of the Catalans, even offering to quit the Spanish national team if he seemed anti-national. Ex-midfielder Xavi also joined in.

"He said, “What is happening in Barcelona is a disgrace. It’s inadmissible that in a democratic country the people are not allowed to vote. I give my full support to the people who are peacefully trying to exert their right to vote.”"

Former Barcelona player and coach Pep Guardiola was also very vocal in blasting the Spanish government. He echoed Xavi in his sympathy for the voters, who were mercilessly beaten by the Spanish police.

Next: Agustí Benedito drops vote of no confidence against Bartomeu

Even tennis superstar Rafael Nadal expressed discontent over the situation in Catalonia. It is now so dire that even non-resident Spaniards are beginning to protest against the government.