Barcelona supporters, Barcelona and Spanish police
24 August 2026
Barcelona condemned what it called disproportionate police force against supporters before Sunday’s La Liga opener at Elche. Video showed officers using batons outside the stadium after Estelada flags were confiscated, with one Barcelona supporter detained.
The club said the force used in the detention lacked justification and argued the Estelada is a legally protected expression. Barcelona requested explanations and said it reserves the right to take further action to defend supporters’ rights and safety.