The dividing line between politics and sport was nearly invisible Sunday, as Barcelona and Las Palmas squared off in a La Liga match amidst unrest in Catalonia.
Barca wanted to postpone the game after police and government officials targeted protestors with shields, truncheons, and rubber bullets, battling those who wished to vote in what the Spanish government deemed an illegal referendum on Catalan independence.
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The Blaugranas closed the doors to their stadium, playing in front of a sea of empty Camp Nou seats in what was an odd sight.
Las Palmas wore Spanish flags on their shirts, while Barca issued a statement sympathetic to their home region of Catalonia. The scoreboard read “democracy” in a clear declaration of belief.
As for the match, Lionel Messi scored twice after Sergio Busquets buried an opening goal. Barca won 3-0 to maintain its five-point table lead on Sevilla, though almost no one was talking about the match.
That’s unfortunate on many levels, as Messi went Messi.
GOOOOOOOAL!
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) October 1, 2017
It's that man again, Leo Messi makes it 3-0 @FCBarcelona! Another lovely move! #LaLiga pic.twitter.com/zDizP5SveA
Barcelona’s Sergio Busquets, center, celebrates his goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Las Palmas at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Barcelona’s Spanish league game against Las Palmas is played without fans amid the controversial referendum on Catalonia’s independence. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
AP
The Spanish national flag is embroidered on the shirt of a Las Palmas player during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Las Palmas at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Barcelona’s Spanish league game against Las Palmas is played without fans amid the controversial referendum on Catalonia’s independence. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
AP
Supporters wait outside the the Camp Nou stadium ahead of the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Las Palmas in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Barcelona’s Spanish league game against Las Palmas will be played without fans amid the controversial referendum on Catalonia’s independence. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
AP
En el videomarcador del Camp Nou todo el rato aparece la palabra 'Democràcia' vía @LluisFlaquer https://t.co/gXGg8FSOfA pic.twitter.com/sUS3ebwsNo
— Carrusel Deportivo (@carrusel) October 1, 2017
