The Barça changes the tribute to the world champions with Spain for an "act of exaltation of the estelada"

BarcelonaThere will be no tribute at Camp Nou to the world champions with Spain on the eve of this Thursday's match against Athletic Club (9 p.m., DAZN). "It is neither the context nor the most appropriate moment. Football should serve to unite and not to create confrontations that do not benefit anyone," declared Joan Laporta, before confirming that Barça will change the congratulations to the world champions for an "act of exaltation of the estelada, which represents the way of thinking of many Barça fans and Catalans." The blaugrana president, who since 2021 had maintained a low profile regarding pro-independence demonstrations and who showed explicit support for the Roja during the World Cup, reiterated that the estelada is a legal symbol within freedom of expression. "It does not generate violence or hatred. It must be respected because it represents our desires for freedom," he stated.

Laporta once again rejected and condemned "the disproportionate and violent action" of the National Police who "assaulted a Barça member" (a minor) on the eve of the match at Elche's stadium: "The images are appalling and very clear. Once the facts are reconfirmed, we ask that the relevant sanctions and punishments be applied." The blaugrana maximum leader hopes that this Thursday's initiative "will serve so that Barça fans and Catalans can go with the estelada without our physical integrity being in danger and that this symbol ceases to be stigmatized by the State security and public order forces." The club is not expected to read any manifesto before the match, it will only allow access of esteladas to the stadium as part of various initiatives communicated in recent days.

The pressure from various fan groups and Catalan entities – who had called for a boycott of the event and to fill the Camp Nou with Esteladas – has helped Barça make this decision. The Assemblea Nacional Catalana (ANC) had already called on people to gather at the Josep Munté Gardens, in front of access 15 of the Camp Nou, on Thursday at 8:15 PM to show their rejection of the tribute that was to be held. In addition, the entity announced that it would distribute 10,000 Esteladas outside the stadium to fill the stands. "The Spanish and colonizing police beat up young independentists and confiscate Esteladas, while we hear chants of 'Puta Catalunya' in the stadiums," they stated in a tweet, referring to what was heard at the Metropolitano on Sunday, when part of the Atlético fans insulted Barça and Catalonia.

On the other hand, the Barcelona supporters' group Sang Culé - Cor Català already called on August 19 – before the incidents in Elche occurred – to bring the Catalan flag to Camp Nou and shout "Independence, Catalan selections!" at the moment when the ceremony for the world champions was to take place. In this way, the Blaugrana club also avoids the possibility of seeing images like those of last Saturday at San Mamés, where a large part of the Athletic Club's fans – rivals this Thursday at Camp Nou – received the world champions Nico Williams, Unai Simón, and Aymeric Laporte with whistles. At the Martínez Valero in Elche, the Blaugrana World Cup champions (Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Joan Garcia, Pau Cubarsí, and Eric Garcia) were already applauded before the (0-5) thrashing in the first league match. Barça regrets that the tribute to its players cannot take place, but insists that the police violence on Sunday is "unacceptable".

Barça continues interested in Julián Álvarez

The other big topic of Laporta's official appearance was the possible signing of Julián Álvarez for the first team of Barça. The leader spoke openly about the interest in signing the Argentine forward: "We would like our offer to be accepted. We do this with all due respect to Atlético de Madrid, that if they are in a position to sell the player in this market, we would be willing to buy the player in accordance with the offer we have made them." Laporta's words come hours after Julián was absent from training with Atlético de Madrid due to an indisposition. The position of the Madrid club remains clear: it will sell the attacker to any club that is not Barça.

The ideal scenario for the investment fund Apollo, Miguel Ángel Gil Marín and Mateu Alemany is to place Julián in the Premier League for more than €100 million and use that money to acquire a replacement. Arsenal is the club that has shown the most interest, but they are facing the player's refusal to go to England. In the last few hours, Manchester City, the club that sold him in 2024 to Atlético de Madrid, has also shown interest in the footballer, who at the moment is resisting abandoning his Barça dream. Laporta knows this and has decided to hold out until the end.