OFFICIAL: Barcelona vs. Las Palmas to be played behind closed doors due to Catalan Referendum

Today’s La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Las Palmas at Camp Nou will be played behind closed doors, the club announced minutes before the start of the match. There was a chance the game would be suspended, but the Spanish Federation refused to accept Barça’s request and the match will go on as planned, but with no crowd in the stadium.

The decision has been made in light of the unsafe conditions in the city of Barcelona due to the Catalan Referendum that will choose whether or not the Catalonia region will become independent of the country of Spain.

The Spanish government has claimed the vote is illegal and will not recognize it, and there are riots all over the city as the police tries to intervene and stop the Catalans from voting. Las Palmas added more fuel to the fire by announcing they would wear a Spanish flag on their kit, and Barcelona were really concerned about the safety of players and fans at the Camp Nou.