October 1st will be remembered in Spain for a long, long time.
Residents in Catalunya are voting in an Independence Referendium to leave Spain. The referendum is not being recognised by Spanish authorities who deem it to be illegal.
Throughout Sunday, many Catalan residents have been injured in skirmishes with Police around Barcelona and the rest of the province. Rubber bullets have been used, as Spanish authorities have tried to closing polling centres, removing ballot boxes in the process.
The incidents throughout Catalunya came on the same day Barcelona are due to play Las Palmas in a La Liga match at the Camp Nou.
On a day of fraught tensions in the city, Las Palmas revealed they were to have Spanish flags embroidered on their shirts in support of Spanish unity.
Reports in the Spanish media claimed that Barcelona had cancelled their game with Las Palmas at short notice. The game was due to kick off at 3.15pm Irish time, with reports coming of the game not going ahead 90 minutes beforehand.
Fans still waiting to come in. Security unaware if game is on or off pic.twitter.com/CBuBzEYwu7
— Samuel Marsden (@samuelmarsden) October 1, 2017
Less than 30 minutes before the scheduled kick-off, Barcelona confirmed the game would go ahead behind closed doors. La Liga officials denied their request to postpone the game.
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 1, 2017
Earlier in the day Barcelona legend Xavi spoke publicly backing those trying to vote around Catalunya.
Xavi (2) pic.twitter.com/lNTDQaV6gs
— Jordi Basté (@jordibaste) October 1, 2017
With thousands of fans outside the ground, the mood around the stadium will be especially tense.
