Barcelona to Appeal UEFA Sanctions for Use of Pro-Catalan Chants, Estelada Flags. Barcelona are set to turn to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after UEFA dismissed an appeal against their punishments for chants supporting Catalan independence and the brandishing of estelada flags at the Camp Nou.
That’s according to a statement on the club’s official website (h/t Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC), which confirmed the Blaugrana are ready to continue battling the sanctions imposed on them:
UEFA have notified us of the decision to not accept the appeal presented by the club regarding the punishing of 'independencia' chants and estalades exhibited in the Camp Nou during the Champions League game against Bayer Leverkusen.UEFA have notified Barcelona and the Spanish FA of the decision. As had been foreseen, Barcelona will immediately present an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
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The yellow and red striped flags, which are a symbol of support for Catalan independence from Spain, are regularly seen at the iconic stadium and around the city. However, Corrigan writes UEFA view the flags as political symbols, and given they are not allowed in venues hosting UEFA Champions League matches, they are punishable.
Indeed, according to Corrigan, Barcelona have received fines totalling €70,000 (£51,000) from European football’s governing body because of the flags and the chants; there's even been some tentative talk of sections of the stadium being closed as a result.
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As reported by Corrigan, the Camp Nou faithful reacted defiantly to the punishments imposed on the club in the following Champions League game against BATE Borisov, with around 30,000 supporters unfurling the flags and chanting. It’s also noted they have chanted “UEFA is a mafia” at European clashes this season.
Here’s a clip of the supporters during the game against BATE chanting after 17 minutes and 14 seconds; Catalonia lost its independence in the year 1714:
Real Madrid banned Barcelona fans from bringing the estelada flags to their recent clash at the Santiago Bernabeu in the capital due to concerns over a political protest.
The debate over independence is a topical one in Spanish politics at the moment. The Catalan government recently confirmed it would push ahead with plans for a secession, despite opposition from the Madrid government. As noted by BBC, a poll conducted in November 2014 of two million eligible voters showed that 80 per cent wanted a split from Spain.
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