> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://barna.news/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # ERC Pushes Barcelona Council to Condemn Police Seizure of Esteladas - URL: https://barna.news/erc-pushes-barcelona-council-to-condemn/ - Published: 2026-09-09T09:01:26.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-09T09:01:26.000Z - Description: Esquerra Republicana proposes an institutional declaration condemning police actions against fans displaying Catalan independence flags at recent football matches. - Author: Brandon Watea - Tags: politics ## Proposal Follows Incidents at Elche and Alcorcón Matches The municipal group of Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) has announced plans to table an institutional declaration at the Barcelona City Council condemning recent police actions against fans displaying *estelada* flags at football stadiums. The move follows reports from FC Barcelona and CE Europa supporters who say National Police officers confiscated their *estelada* flags, pro-independence Catalan symbols, ahead of matches in Elche and Alcorcón. On 23 August 2026, prior to the LaLiga fixture between Elche CF and FC Barcelona at the Martínez Valero stadium, police seized several such flags and used batons against supporters, according to eyewitness accounts and video evidence shared by ARA and ESPN. One teenage fan was detained after resisting the confiscation, reportedly struck multiple times with a baton before being taken to a medical centre and later held overnight at a police station in Elche. FC Barcelona issued an official statement on 24 August condemning the 'disproportionate use of force' and confirming it had offered support to the detained fan and his family. ## Club and Political Backlash Mounts FC Barcelona explicitly stated that the *estelada* is a 'legally endorsed symbol' whose display constitutes a legitimate exercise of freedom of expression under Spanish constitutional law, and cannot be considered incitement to violence. The club reserved the right to take legal or institutional action to defend fans’ rights at away games. ERC’s proposed declaration reaffirms that the *estelada* is protected by fundamental rights and criticises what it describes as a pattern of political censorship by state security forces. It calls for the Barcelona City Council to urge the national government to request a monographic investigation by Spain’s Ombudsman into alleged discriminatory conduct by state police forces, citing Article 9.1 of Organic Law 3/1981\. The proposal also demands that authorities guarantee freedom of expression in sports venues, rejecting any form of prior censorship based on political symbolism. --- ## Next Steps at City Council ERC intends to negotiate the final text with other political groups in the coming days ahead of the Social Rights, Culture and Sports Commission meeting on Monday, 15 September 2026\. If approved, the declaration would represent a formal stance by the Ajuntament de Barcelona, the city council, against police actions seen as infringing on civil liberties. Barcelona residents, particularly fans attending away matches, may face similar confrontations unless national guidelines are clarified. Supporters are advised to consult FC Barcelona’s official communications via [fcbarcelona.com](https://www.fcbarcelona.com/?ref=barna.news) for updates on fan safety protocols. > The Estelada is a legally endorsed symbol and its display constitutes a legitimate exercise of freedom of expression. As such, it cannot in itself be considered an incitement to hatred or violence. This position echoes past rulings, including a 2016 decision by Spain’s Administrative Court in Madrid which found bans on *esteladas* at sporting events violated fundamental rights, and subsequent court-ordered access for fans to bring the flags to the Copa del Rey final. --- *Reported by fcbarcelona.com, ARA, global.espn.com, Diario de Alicante, bbc.co.uk, insideworldfootball.com, R. P, e01-elmundo.uecdn.es, m.aa.com.tr, bbc.com, english.elpais.com, El Nacional.* --- ### Related on Barna.News - [Vox Barcelona Leader Under Investigation for Balcony Use](https://barna.news/vox-barcelona-leader-under/) - [Pro-independence left calls Fossar rally on 10 September](https://barna.news/pro-independence-left-calls-fossar/) - [Catalan pro-independence unity strategy fractures](https://barna.news/catalan-pro-independence-unity-strategy/) - [Barcelona Council Admits No Sanctions for Catalan Language Breaches](https://barna.news/barcelona-council-admits-no-sanctions/)