A clearly visible tide, a massive clamor, and a large and unequivocal message. Camp Nou and Barça fans spoke clearly and in Catalan to defend freedom of expression and the freedom to display flags. The independence flag has become a symbol to protest against the excessive force used by the National Police against a minor supporter in Elx who was carrying an estelada.
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The moment when the players jumped onto the pitch from the tunnel to start the match was chosen for the “act of exaltation” of the estelada that was expected at Spotify Camp Nou.
Throughout the stands of the Barcelona coliseum, independence flags began to be seen. In the Tribune, in the North Goal, in the South Goal, and in the Lateral. Many. And in every corner. It was a transversal action, a gesture that united and did not understand half measures. A right had to be defended.
The ANC distributed 10,000 in card format around the stadium but many fans were eager to claim and had already come prepared with their flag from home.
It was a protest on an individual level and, above all, on a collective level. In fact, two large estelades in the Lateral area fell from the second tier to the first so that they were clearly visible on television images.
Camp Nou had not seen such an apogee of estelades since the days of the independence process. Even the audience on their own initiative decided to sing Els Segadors, the anthem of Catalonia.
From the animation stand area, they even went further and there were chants of “Puta España, puta selección.” It should not be forgotten that Barcelona president Joan Laporta chose to suspend the tribute to the world champions that was to take place before the match between Barça and Athletic because the “appropriate context” was not given.
Eleven of the 26 players who won the World Cup last July 19 in New Jersey for la roja were on the pitch. Eight from Barça (five starters, two on the bench, and Gavi in the stands) and three from Athletic (all in the starting eleven). The loudspeaker tried to call attention and remind that insults are not allowed, to which the crowd silenced the request with whistles.
At minute 17 and 14 seconds of the match, when the shouts of Independence occurred, there was a second attempt to fill the stands with estelades but the crowd no longer responded the same way.
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