The game in Madrid took on new dimensions after the government in Madrid said last week it would not allow pro-independence Catalan flags into the Vicente Calderón Stadium where Sunday’s final took place, but a court later quashed that decision.
The public prosecutor had pushed the ban on grounds that the Estelada – the special pro-independence Catalan flag -- could lead to public disturbances and violence during the match.
Luckily, all the tension remained on the pitch at the final game as Barcelona clinched a 2-0 victory in extra time after three players were sent off, the team’s second domestic title after winning the La Liga title.
“Jordi Alba’s goal in the seventh minute of extra time capped a stunning turnaround of events and just instants before the final whistle Neymar tacked on a goal. Lionel Messi had both assists,” the official Catalan News Agency enthused.
It called the two domestic titles, “a double to end a dream season.”
But with many Catalans clamouring for independence from Spain, and the government in Madrid unmoving over any such ambitions, authorities were not taking any chances at the game.
Different TV channels showed FCB fans entering the stadium with Esteladas and others with normal Catalan or Spanish flags. Some 2,500 policemen were installed for security at what had been described as a high risk match.
Although the game went without controversy, the flag issue did not.
Barcelona’s La Vanguardia newspaper on Monday accused television cameras of deliberately pointing away in order not to show the Estelada.
Its Sunday headline expressed “Indignation over concealment of Esteladas during broadcast of Copa del Rey final.”
Spain’s Tele 5 network which aired the match focused mainly on Sevilla FC fans, particularly during the playing of the Spanish anthem, keeping the Estelada and Catalan flags out of view.
“It is not the (official) Spanish television, but it is the same censorship. There is not even a single image of Esteladas,” fumed Lucas Verdu Belmar, a fan who spoke to La Vanguardia.
In Barcelona, many were angry at what they saw as censorship.
“For Catalans, taking the flags to the stadium means to internationalize our cause in a peaceful way,” Xavier Sabi, a sympathizer and pro-independence Catalan, told Rudaw English. He pointed out that any FCB match is watched by millions around the world.
“FC Barcelona is more than a club, as one president of the club once said. Since long ago it has been a refuge where people like me who don’t feel Spanish could express our feelings,” Sabi said.
“The Estelada is not the Catalan flag. It shows the deeper desire for the Catalans to become independent. By trying to stop us from taking it to a match the Spanish government is trying to stop our democratic rights,” he said.
Last year, FC Barcelona was fined by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) for flying the Estelada at the Champions League match.
Before the ban was overturned for the game with Sevilla, FC Barcelona had threatened to express Catalonia’s pro-independence sentiments by flying the Scottish flags: Scotland, Catalonia and Iraqi Kurdistan all share ambitions of independence.
It was never uncommon for fans to wave the Estelada during FC Barcelona matches. But over the past several years Catalonia has demanded a referendum to decide on independence. Since then, football stadiums have become venues to express grievances.
Madrid does not allow such a referendum and the current Catalan government has warned it is ready to declare independence unilaterally.
Catalan President Carles Puigdemont and Barcelona mayor Ada Colau had both threatened to boycott the Sevilla game after the flag ban was announced. Both attended after the judge overturned the prosecutor’s ruling.
FC Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu said Sunday, “It is not understandable that such a thing is happening in the 21st Century.”
He vowed that “FC Barcelona will continue to fight for the freedom of expression.”
