Barca to join Catalan strike on Tuesday

Image
AFP Barcelona
Last Updated : Oct 02 2017 | 9:32 PM IST
Barcelona will join a strike called across Catalonia tomorrow in protest at a violent crackdown by police of an independence referendum called by pro-separatist politicians for the region on Sunday.
"FC Barcelona joins the country wide strike called for by Table for Democracy and therefore the club will be closed tomorrow," Barca said in a statement today.
"None of the professional teams or the youth teams at FC Barcelona will train tomorrow."
Clashes as police fired rubber bullets and forced their way into polling stations, often violently removing activists, to confiscate ballots left at least 92 people confirmed injured out of a total of 844 who needed medical attention, according to Catalan authorities.
"We strongly condemn the violence carried out by the state's security forces to impede the October 1 referendum," said a 44-strong group of organisations, including leading unions, in calling the strike.
In light of the incidents, Barca played their match against Las Palmas behind closed doors on Sunday.
Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu said the club made the decision as a protest against the violent clashes rather than security concerns.
The vast majority of Barcelona's stars, including five- time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi and Gerard Pique, who has been an outspoken defender of Catalonia's right to self-determination, wouldn't have trained with Barca tomorrow in any case as they are on international duty with their respective nations.

Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content

*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Oct 02 2017 | 9:32 PM IST

Next Story