25.08.2026 15:01
The tension that began with the removal of Catalan independence flags before the Elche-Barcelona match turned into a heavy police intervention. While images of a Barcelona fan being struck with a baton and knocked to the ground drew reactions, Barcelona condemned the intervention and announced that an internal investigation would be launched regarding the National Police.
Tension was experienced around the Martinez Valero Stadium in Spain before the match played between Elche and Barcelona. Police officers took the Catalan independence flags, known as "estelada," carried by some Barcelona fans. Following this, a scuffle broke out between the fans and the police.
FANS WERE BEATEN WITH BATONS
In the images related to the incident, police officers were seen intervening harshly against a Barcelona fan. The fan, who was hit by one of the officers with a baton, fell to the ground after the blows.
STRONG REACTION FROM BARCELONA
In its statement following the events, Barcelona condemned the police intervention, arguing that "unjustified force" was used against its fans. The incident quickly turned into a political debate. Junts, ERC, and CUP demanded that Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska make a statement and that those responsible be identified.
INVESTIGATION TO BE LAUNCHED INTO THE POLICE
It was reported that the National Police would launch a "confidential administrative investigation" into the incidents, following a meeting between the central government representative in Catalonia, Carlos Prieto, and his counterpart in Valencia, Pilar Bernabé. Bernabé stated that the details of the events would be revealed as a result of the investigation and that necessary decisions would be made.
PUIGDEMONT ALSO STEPPED IN
Junts leader Carles Puigdemont described the events as an attitude towards Catalan identity. The party's Congress spokesperson, Míriam Nogueras, also demanded that those responsible for the intervention be held accountable.
ERC Deputy Secretary General Elisenda Alamany, on the other hand, claimed that the intervention was carried out for ideological reasons and called for the incident to be investigated in terms of fundamental rights and proportionality.