Barcelona made news on and off the field during their match against Atletico Madrid, as a Spanish flag was taken down from the advertising boards at Camp Nou. On Sunday, Barcelona welcomed Atletico Madrid to a high-profile clash held in Camp Nou.
The hosts secured a narrow 1-0 victory, with Ferran Torres scoring the lone goal. However, the match was not without controversy, as a Spanish national flag displaying the Atletico club crest was hung over the advertising hoardings in the second tier and was later removed by a Barca fan using force before security personnel intervened.
What Happened?
Barca has responded to the actions of the supporters and security personnel, who took measures against an away supporter in the home end, and explained why they had to intervene and relocate the fan, who was not ejected from the stadium.
According to a statement released by the La Liga giants, a couple of Atletico Madrid supporters in the stadium’s second tier covered Spotify’s advertising with a Spanish flag bearing the team’s crest.
In response, a private security intervention team was dispatched to the location to inform the fans of the club’s internal regulations, which prohibit hanging flags or any other items that cover the stadium’s advertising. Consequently, the fans were requested to remove the flag.
How Did Barcelona Respond To This Incident?
The Head of Integrity and Security for La Liga received detailed information about the incident. They contacted the Security Manager of FC Barcelona to inquire about the situation in the second tier. Furthermore, the Atletico Madrid fan, accompanied by a woman, both of whom are Polish, voluntarily proceeded to the Gol Nord to relinquish his team shirt and the flag he was carrying. He returned with different clothing and resumed watching the game from his original location.
FC Barcelona reminds all fans that covering the stadium’s advertising spaces with any sporting symbol, even if it belongs to the club itself, is not permitted, and will take action when a violation occurs.
