Bartomeu: An empty Camp Nou is a message to the entire world
The president explained the decision to play the Las Palmas game behind closed doors
"We want the entire world to see the situation in Catalonia and how we are suffering"
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu spoke to Barça TV and beIN Sports to explain the decision to play Sunday's game against Las Palmas behind closed doors on an historic day for Catalonia with the referendum on independence.
"We're really sad about what is happeneing, he said. @It’s the lack of freedom of expression which worries us, it upsets us a lot. But, in place of calling the game off, we’ve decided to play it in an exceptional manner: without fans. And we want to give our support to everyone.
"The security was guaranteed. The local police had confirmed that. We tried to call the game off with La Liga, but when they said no we decided to play without supporters so that the entire world can see the situation in Catalonia and how we are suffering."
Bartomeu also explained that Barça had wanted to call the game off, but La Liga told them if they didn't play the game they would have been deducted three points and forced to forfeit the game.
The Barça president also confirmed there were no security concerns behind the decision.
