FC Barcelona, among the organizations rejecting anti-referendum police operation

The major Spanish police operation against the October 1 referendum has received criticism not only from many political leaders and citizens in Catalonia, but also from some organizations such as FC Barcelona.

The world-famous football club said that it is committed to “the defense of the [Catalan] nation, to democracy, to freedom of speech, and to self-determination”. Therefore, it “condemns any act that may impede the free exercise of these rights.”

In a statement today, the club said it “publicly expresses its support for all people, entities, and institutions that work to guarantee these rights.” Additionally, FC Barcelona stated that “it will continue to support the will of the majority of Catalan people, and will do so in a civil, peaceful and exemplary way”.