Barcelona Accuses Police of Excessive Force Against Fans

Barcelona has alleged that police employed excessive force against their supporters before the team's La Liga match against Elche, which ended in a 5-0 victory for Barcelona.

Videos circulating on social media depict confrontations between police and fans as they waited to enter the Estadio Martinez Valero in Elche. The club criticized the police's actions, particularly the detention of one fan, stating that it lacked justification and appropriateness.

In their statement, Barcelona condemned the police's actions and expressed their support for the detained fan and his family. The club also noted that police confiscated Estelada flags from fans, asserting that the display of these flags is a legitimate exercise of freedom of expression. BBC Sport has reached out to local police and the regional government for their response.