Barcelona say police used 'disproportionate' force on fans

What the report says

Barcelona have accused police of using “disproportionate” force against supporters before their 5-0 La Liga win away to Elche on Sunday, according to BBC Sport Football. The incidents reportedly took place outside the Estadio Martinez Valero in Elche, Alicante, as fans queued to enter the ground ahead of Barcelona’s first league match of the season.

In a statement, the club said the treatment of one detained supporter lacked proper justification and was not appropriate. Barcelona said it had offered support to the fan and his family. The club also said officers confiscated Estelada flags from fans, adding that the symbol is legally protected and part of legitimate free expression. The Estelada is commonly associated with Catalan independence and is often seen at Barcelona matches.

Social media videos appeared to show confrontations between police and supporters, but BBC Sport said it had contacted local police and the regional government for comment. The article did not include a response from authorities. The match itself ended in a comfortable Barcelona victory, with Raphinha and Fermin Lopez both scoring twice.

The case matters because it raises questions about crowd control, policing at major football fixtures and the handling of politically symbolic material in Spanish sport. BBC Sport’s report presents the club’s complaints while awaiting official comment from the relevant authorities.