FC Barcelona condemns police force used against fans in Elche

FC Barcelona National Police Estelada flag Elche police intervention

FC Barcelona has publicly condemned the National Police for the use of disproportionate force against its supporters during the La Liga match against Elche at the Martínez Valero stadium. The incident, which was captured on video, involved the confiscation of Estelada flags and the subsequent arrest of a young fan.

Videos show police officers using batons on the supporter after the flag was removed. The club maintains that the Estelada is a legal symbol and its display is a legitimate expression of freedom of speech. FC Barcelona has announced it will provide legal and personal support to the detained individual and his family.

Political parties, including Junts, ERC, and CUP, have joined the criticism, demanding explanations from the Ministry of the Interior. They have questioned the legality and proportionality of the police intervention. In response, the National Police have opened an internal investigation to clarify the circumstances of the event. While the government delegation stated no specific orders were issued to seize the flags, local authorities noted that the detainee had allegedly resisted and assaulted officers.

Entities

Barcelona · Elche · Elche CF · Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya · FC Barcelona · Fernando Grande-Marlaska · Junts · Martínez Valero Stadium · Mossos d’Esquadra · National Police · Policía Nacional · Reconquista

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 5 SOURCES] Catalan political parties Junts, ERC, and CUP demanded explanations from Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska regarding police actions. elburgado.com · laciutat.cat · www.esdiario.com · www.elindependiente.com · www.3cat.cat
[● 2 SOURCES] Authorities in Alicante described the incident as an isolated case and claimed the detainee attacked officers. alicanteplaza.es · esporte.ig.com.br
[● 2 SOURCES] The National Police opened an internal investigation to clarify the circumstances of the police intervention in Elche. www.3cat.cat · alicanteplaza.es
[● 8 SOURCES] Viral videos show police officers using batons on a young fan after confiscating an Estelada flag. www.vilaweb.cat · elburgado.com · laciutat.cat · racocatala.cat · www.diaridetarragona.com · +2 more
[● 7 SOURCES] FC Barcelona condemned the use of disproportionate force by the National Police against its members and fans. deportesdo.com · www.diaridetarragona.com · www.leiaja.com · www.que.es · barcauniversal.com · +2 more
[● 7 SOURCES] The club stated that the Estelada flag is a legal symbol and its display is a legitimate expression of freedom of speech. www.diaridetarragona.com · www.leiaja.com · www.que.es · barcauniversal.com · esporte.ig.com.br · +2 more
[● 3 SOURCES] The legal group Acció Cassandra filed a complaint alleging a hate crime against a Catalan person. naciodigital.cat · www.magradacatalunya.cat · www.3cat.cat
[● 4 SOURCES] FC Barcelona announced it would provide legal and personal support to the detained fan and his family. www.diaridetarragona.com · laciutat.cat · www.todoalicante.es · barcauniversal.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Catalan Government spokesperson condemned the police violence against a Barcelona supporter. theobjective.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The government delegation stated no specific order was issued to seize Estelada flags. theobjective.com · alicanteplaza.es
[○ 1 SOURCE] FC Barcelona condemned the use of force against fans as disproportionate and lacking justification. www.todoalicante.es
[○ 1 SOURCE] The club criticized police for confiscating Estelada flags, arguing they are legal symbols protected by freedom of expression. www.todoalicante.es