UEFA accidentally shows giant pro-independence flag in promotional video

Barcelona (CNA).- The so-called “pro-independence flags battle”between FC Barcelona and the Union of European Football Associations, UEFA, continues. On Thursday, the governing body of European football included the image of a giant pro-independence flag in the upcoming ChampionsLeague match Barça vs Roma’s promotional video. This  comes after UEFA opened disciplinary proceedings against Barça for having repeatedly displayed pro-independence flags at their stadium, Camp Nou. “There is not a war with UEFA but we are defending the interests of our club”stated the vice president responsible for the sporting area, Jordi Mestres, after being notified of the second fine “We have always had a very respectful and well-behaved set of fans. We would never tell our members and fans not to express their opinion”he concluded.

“It was a mistake from the communication agency in charge of the promotional videos”declared UEFA’s spokesperson to Spanish News Agency EFE. “We are going to change it and send it again tomorrow”. Actually, the video is no longer available.

The first fine came after the Champions League Final

The controversy started in June when UEFA decided to open disciplinary proceedings against FC Barcelona because of the “massive presence of pro-independence flags”and “constant slogans”supporting this political position during the ChampionsLeague final in Berlin. Two possible consequences were considered by the body: fine Barça 50,000 euros or partly close Camp Nou’s grandstand during the first 2015-2016 Champions League match. In the end, Barça paid a 30,000 euros fine. 

Barça fined again for the same reason

A few months later UEFA fined FC Barcelona again for the same reason, on this occasion for the FC Barcelona - Bayer Leverkusen match on the 29^th of September. This second fine, which was 40,000 euros, triggered outrage amongst the club’s members and board. “We are surprised. We will appeal against the decision, and if necessary, we will take legal advice. We will battle until the end and we do not understand why UEFA would treat us like this for something that does not incite violence”, said the vice president responsible for the sporting area, Jordi Mestres. “There is not a war with UEFA but we are defending the interests of our club”he added, “we have always had a very respectful and well-behaved set of fans. We would never tell our members and fans not to express their opinion.”

Supporters display thousands of flags as a protest

Soon after that, on the 4^th of November, Barça encountered Bate Borisov at Camp Nou for another ChampionsLeague match. UEFA’s decisions, far from scaring Barça’s supporters, unleashed the opposite reaction and thousands of pro-independence flags were displayed during the match. This happened under the watchful eye of UEFA representative Karl-Erik Nilsson and UEFA’s head of security, Juha Karjalainen. They both took pictures of the stadium, close to the grandstand where most of the pro-independence flags were displayed. No fines nor other actions were announced after that.