Barcelona Scraps Spain World Cup Tribute as Catalan Flag Row Takes Centre Stage

Barcelona's planned tribute to its eight Spanish World Cup-winning players was called off on Thursday as a controversy surrounding the estelada, Catalonia's pro-independence flag, took centre stage at Camp Nou.

The club had initially planned to honour its World Cup champions before its Spanish league home opener against Athletic Bilbao, with Barcelona boasting more members of Spain's victorious squad than any other club. However, the celebration was shelved following an incident involving a Barcelona supporter and the display of the estelada.

Instead, Camp Nou witnessed a powerful show of support for the Catalan symbol. A local organisation distributed around 10,000 small estelada flags to supporters before the match, while larger flags and banners were also displayed inside the stadium. Thousands of fans reportedly marched near the Camp Nou carrying the pro-independence symbols before kickoff.

The controversy stemmed from Barcelona's previous match at Elche, where police allegedly confiscated an estelada from a young supporter. The fan confronted officers and was later detained after police used batons.

Barcelona strongly criticised the incident, describing the estelada as a legally recognised symbol whose display represents a legitimate exercise of freedom of expression. The club also said the force used during the detention appeared disproportionate.

Club president Joan Laporta backed the peaceful display of the Catalan flags but said the moment was not appropriate for a tribute to the Spain players, stressing that “soccer must unite, not generate confrontations.” He added that the Spanish football federation understood Barcelona's decision.

The players set to be honoured were Joan García, Eric García, Pedri, Pau Cubarsí, Gavi, Rodri, Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal, all of whom helped Spain lift its second World Cup title last month.

While other Spanish clubs celebrated their World Cup-winning players with the trophy and national team coach Luis de la Fuente, Barcelona's homecoming turned into a striking display of Catalan identity and freedom of expression.