Catalonia: Barça protest by playing their match behind closed doors on Sunday 01/10/2017

"FC Barcelona condemns the events which have taken place in many parts of Catalonia today in order to prevent its citizens exercising their democratic right to free expression. 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," said FC Barcelona, before the game against UD Las Palmas (3-0, Matchday 7 of LaLiga Santander) on Sunday 01/10/2017 (kick-off at 16:15 CET).

The club intended to protest against the clashes between policemen and supporters of the referendum for the independence of Catalonia, organised on 01/10/2017, which left at least 91 wounded and "337 people in hospitals and health centres" of the region.

FC Barcelona heeded the call by the Taula per la Democràcia (Democracy Board) and came to a standstill this Monday morning 02/10/2017 from 12:00 to 12:15 CET to vehemently condemn the use of violence to prevent the exercise of free democratic rights and the freedom of expression…