La Liga chief Javier Tebas says Real Madrid are right to ban Barcelona fans displaying the Estelada flag at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.
The flag is a symbol of support for Catalan independence and has already caused controversy already this season – with the club fined after the flags were present at a Champions League game.
As support for independence grows in the region and Catalan politicians aiming for a breakaway from Spain within 18 months, the Clasico is likely to be highly charged.
And speaking to reporters, Tebas said Madrid were right to try and calm the situation down.
“Madrid are doing the right thing to ban Esteladas. Within your stadium you can determine if the greater good must be protected for the benefit of a particular good. They’re right to remove the Estelada because it’s a security issue. I remember, I don’t know if it was last year or longer ago, a Madrid fan in Camp Nou in a Madrid shirt and it was an uncomfortable situation. It’s not ideal and we want to stop these things but it is a moment of special sensitivity,” he stated.
Tebas said that in the wake of the Paris attacks last week, and the show of support from England fans in the friendly at Wembley on Tuesday, Barcelona and Madrid should draw inspiration from that and put on a more united front at a time of uncertainty.
“I envy how they sang La Marseillaise, respecting symbols everywhere. We’ve suffered terrorism of all colours and our security forces are experienced. We must be calm and confident in our security forces. That’s an advantage over other countries,” he commented.
