In pictures: Barca vs. Las Palmas behind 'closed doors'
"La Liga's refusal to cancel the game and play it another day would mean the loss of six points for the team," said Josep Bartomeu, President FCB.
(Web Desk) – As clashes over Catalonia’s independence referendum reached a new high with the police using force to stop voters from exercising their rights, the La Liga fixture between Las Palmas and the Catalonian capital of Barcelona was played at Camp Nou in closed doors with 98,000 spectators left outside the stadium.
Camp Nou
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 1, 2017
Warm-up. Calentamiento. Escalfament.
#BarçaLasPalmas
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While Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu said the club made the decision to play behind closed doors at the 99,000-capacity Camp Nou as a protest against the violent clashes rather than security concerns, an official statement by the football club read:
“FC Barcelona condemns the events which have taken place in many parts of Catalonia today in order to prevent its citizens from exercising their democratic rights to freedom of expression. Given the exceptional nature of events, the Board of Directors has decided the FC Barcelona first team game will be played behind closed doors following the Professional Football League’s refusal to postpone the game.”
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The scoreboard at the Nou Camp read ‘Democracy’. Photo: EPA
Messi warms up in an empty Camp Nou, prior to the match. Photo: Getty Images
Messi taking a free-kick against Las Palmas in an empty Camp Nou. Photo: Twitter
Barcelona players celebrate Messi’s goal. Photo: AP
Security personnel take away a protester who managed to get onto the pitch during the match. Photo: AP
Empty stands as Barcelona wraps up a comfortable win. Photo: Reuters
Barcelona can attract crowds of up to 90,000 people for home matches. Photo: AFP
Prior to the kick-off, FC Barcelona pose for a team photo wearing shirts in the colours of Catalan flag. Photo: Getty Images
Players of FC Barcelona and Las Palmas enter the pitch. Photo: Getty Images
Suarez attempts an overhead kick. Photo: AP
Unable to get in, fans wait outside the stadium. Photo: AP
