As is customary on the Catalonia National Day (Diada Nacional de Catalunya), FC Barcelona pay tribute by laying a floral offering at the monument of Rafael Casanova on September 11th. This year was no exception, and a large delegation representing the Blaugrana carried out the traditional gesture.
The floral offering was led by President Joan Laporta, accompanied by the captain of the Barcelona women's team, Alexia Putellas, and the recent signing for the men's first team, Oriol Romeu. The club's top official mingled with the crowd before the event, even taking photographs with some of the attendees. Laporta, however, remained silent when asked about the resignation of Rubiales as the president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
Also present at the offering were Vice President for Sports Area Rafael Yuste, Vice President for Institutional Relations and spokesperson for the board, Elena Fort, Vice President for Economic Area Eduard Romeu, Deputy Spokesperson of the board Miquel Camps, Director in charge of the Social Area Josep Ignasi Macià, Director in charge of handball Joan Solé, and President of Barça Atlètic, Jordi Casals.
In terms of sports representation, along with Alexia Putellas and Oriol Romeu, there were Barcelona women's team coach Jonatan Giráldez, basketball coach Roger Grimau, and player Àlex Abrines; handball coach Carlos Ortega and player Dika Mem; futsal coach Jesús Velasco and player Sergio Lozano; hockey coach Edu Castro and player Sergi Panadero; as well as coaches and players from FC Barcelona's youth teams and Fundació Barça Genuine.
Laporta's speech
"FC Barcelona, as a deeply democratic institution, has the honour to be present at the offering to the monument of Rafael Casanova. It is a tradition that Barcelona has participated in for over 100 years when circumstances have allowed it. Whether in times of democracy or in the darkness of dictatorship, Barcelona has stood up for the rights and freedoms of Catalonia, and we will continue to do so. We have this duty to be faithful to our history and our foundational principles that explain why we are 'mes que un club.' We stand in solidarity with the victims and families of the earthquake that occurred in Morocco, causing so much pain, and we announce that through the FC Barcelona Foundation, we will provide support for humanitarian relief efforts. Happy Diada, long live Barça, and long live Catalonia."