Members of the Committees for the Defence of the Republic in Barcelona have encouraged fans to brandish and wave the Catalan flag this Wednesday during the Blaugrana's Copa del Rey semi-final first leg clash against bitter rivals Real Madrid.
They are keen to use such a big occasion to showcase their political agenda and to drive forward their campaign for independence.
Tensions have been running high across Spain over the last few months as Catalonia continues to push for independence.
"Let's fill the ground with Catalan flags," said a member of the CDR.
"[We need to] use our flag to show we are serious about gaining independence.
"We need to do it for our political prisoners.
"We must make it a hostile atmosphere by booing Real Madrid and their players."
Barcelona, as a club, are open to allowing their supporters to openly express their feelings and thoughts on the matter.
At each match, there is normally some sort of placard that is related to either independence or the political situation that is currently taking place in Catalonia.
The first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final between the two Spanish giants will take place on Wednesday at 21:00 CET.
fredostar
161
As a Barcelona fan I don't think is a good idea , this is a football match and should not be mixed with political issues. I am not against the Catalans effort to achieve their independence from the Spanish side but it should be a different occasion not a football match. Fc Barcelona president please look sharp and stop this because it will not help .I know that FC Barcelona is very professional in all their dealings . Forza el Barca
Longlife2000
110
You see how Madrid fans are crying out loud over hear. ..they forgot that if Barcelona are playing in Madrid they boo our players especially Pique now that they have heard that the Barcelona fans will boo their players see how they are talking as if they have not done this to Barcelona before don't forget that it's El Clasico and anything goes and about the political side Barcelona need to get its freedom from Spain because they pay big taxes to the Spanish Government but they don't use it to develop Catalonia and everything is done in Spain but not in Barcelona so it's better for Barcelona to get their own independent so that they can develop the country of Catalan and Barcelona is the club which bring more income to the Spanish Government than any other team or company in Spain that is why the Spanish Government doesn't want to grant them their wish but sooner or later Catalonia will have their own independent
DanielYada
108
eloksjoseph
92
football is not about violence and politics it's about the love and joy... even though there is often rivalry between clubs we enjoy the competition... they shouldn't use football for political reasons please
saymah
80
Take politics to football will it help? or real Madrid as football team can give you independent or speak for your independent? This idea is totally wrong!! you just decide to show rudeness to real Madrid football team. you know the capital city for Spain and you know the political leaders of your country including your own lawmakers who are representing you people at the legislature why can you reach them. Total disrespectful plain towards real Madrid football team .
saodeikru
79
Nonsense Stop mixing football with Politics Messi, Suarez, Dembele, Semedo, Kevin Prince, Arthur, Rakitic etc are neither Spanish nor Catalan. They are professional! Catalans should look for another reasonable means to vent their frustration rather than through a great football match as El Clasico!!!
DanielStreber
74
Barca is best in The world
Piwbeklnyz
66
Barcelona's politicians are very terrific in their thoughts and I believe their actions also, what's wrong with them, is this the way you gonna gain independence, very pathetic, what a shame, want to use the beautiful game for their greedy political gain, I'm kindly asking the barca fans that are not in Spain to please stay out of their civil crisis they want to get into......[Cry][Cry][Cry][Cry][Cry][Cry][Cry]
babafemi
53
My Line up against Barcelona, I placed VInicius on the right wing because someone has to keep jordi alba busy all night by constantly attacking his position to disconnect the link between him and Messi and the only person capable of doing that is Vini, llorente and casemiro in midfield to do the dirty jobs and supply Modric who the makes things tick in attack, llorente will have a license to join the attack when in possession while casemiro is holding and then drift back when possession is lost. some will wonder why I choose Brahim on the left and not bale, it’s because he has a lot to prove since his signing from Mancity, his dribbling and pacing abilities to put crosses into the box, bales performance has been below par this season. Navas in goal, no explanation for that.