Welcome back to the Lewnau Sports Bureau!  I had initially planned to focus on the penultimate match of the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers for the United States and Argentina.  However, in light of recent events that swept the region of Catalunya, Spain, I’ve decided, instead, to provide my own two cents on the events.  As most of you know by now, I’m a “subway” Culé.  I may live in Metro Detroit, but as far as futbol goes, I bleed Barça colors, whether it’s the blue and scarlet of the club and the yellow and red of Cataluyna.  Today, both Club and Country— well not quite yet for the latter— are feeling the aftermath of what transpired this past Sunday.  Typically, FC Barcelona and Catalunya go hand in hand, stride in stride, endlessly and lovingly synonymous with one another.  Through this intertwined relationship, FCB became known as “Mes Que Un Club”.  More Than A Club.  This motto was never more prevalent than during the suppressive days of General Franco’s reign.  For nearly forty years Catalans in Barcelona flocked to the Camp Nou to not only watch a Blaugrana futbol match, but to temporarily escape the oppression of the Spanish government.  A government that forced Catalans to speak Castilian, not Catalan.  A government that didn’t allow Catalans to name their children with native Catalan names— Spanish names were required.  Thus, the Camp Nou became a place where natives could show their patriotism via speaking their own language and waving their Senyeras. In other words, Catalan’s were able to be Catalan.  This unity that was routinely expressed inside and around the now 99,000 seat stadium, and made the Camp Nou and FCB a symbol of hope, strength, and survival for Catalunya and it’s people.

That symbol and motto has taken a major hit in the eyes of some, perhaps in the eyes of many, this past Sunday.  As Catalunya was holding its referendum vote in regards to breaking away from Spain and becoming it’s own country, the Camp Nou was closed, well at least to its supporters, its community.  FC Barcelona requested that the scheduled game be postponed due to the vote and violence that had filled Catalunya. Barça wanted and wished not to play in respect for this inevitable milestone of a “Right to Statehood” passing vote.  But, LaLiga President Javier Tebas had other plans.  He stated that FCB must play the game on Sunday or the club would forfeit the match and be deducted an additional three points.  That’s a six point total, which if enforced would have eternal rivals Real Madrid, just one point behind Barça.  Thus, it was decided that the match would go on.  

However, due to the hostility in the streets around the city and for the fact that it had been rumored that fans would storm the pitch shortly after kickoff, FCB decided to hold the match in an empty Camp Nou.  Unfortunately, much of the hostility was due to the Spanish military and police. They have been video taped on multiple occasions brutally beating, and shooting rubber bullets at many non-violent protesters, as well as slamming their way into and shutting down poll sites. Once a venue for unity, camaraderie, and a safe haven for locals, the stadium instantly become a symbol of selfish conformity and bowing down to the crown.  In other words, FCB turned it’s back on its own, or at least that’s how many Catalans felt.  According to these Catalans, the stadium should have been open that day, but not for a match. Instead, it should have served as that safe place to share and celebrate Catalan pride and patriotism.

The fallout from choosing to play the game, and in front of lonely seats, has been significant and widespread.  Included in the unimpressed, are two FCB board members.  These men turned in their resignation and stated that FCB is “Just another club, not more than a club any longer”.  But, is this a fair stance to take?  Did Barça truly turn its back on it’s Catalan people?  Is FCB really “just another club”?  Unequivocally, I say NO!  

In reality, FCB was in a no win situation, and the club did the best it could to service the interests of both the supporters and futbol team.  As, Barcelona’s wish to play on another day was denied by right wing monarchist Javier Tebas, if they did play with open doors, the threat of thousands— perhaps tens of thousands, of people storming the pitch was too risky a situation for fans, players, officials and staff. Therefore, the Camp Nou, out of safety, had to be locked down from the attending supporters.  Now, if they chose not to play at all, FCB would have to forfeit 6 points in the table, throwing away all that they have worked for this year.

In the end, playing the match was the right decision, even though the Camp Nou was closed to its own on perhaps Catalunya’s most historic day.  But guess what, there’ll be more games at the Camp Nou, with the most recent being a Champions League fixture set for October 18th.  On that day, which will be several weeks removed from this, I firmly believe that the Camp Nou will be jam packed with Culés.  They’ll be expressing their truest selves once again, with vigor and passion unlike ever before.  In addition, if Barça end up winning LaLiga this year, the club and the Blaugranes will essentially get the last laugh as they’d beat the King’s club in Real Madrid.

P.S.  Kudos to Gerrard Pique who once again stood up for Catalunya, but also for his club.  After partaking in Sunday’s vote, he proceeded to perform his duties for FCB even though he preferred to not play.  In addition, he stated that he’d step away from the Spanish National Team if his coaches, staff, or teammates feel that he’s a problem.  A selfless act I’d say.  Hopefully this won’t be the end to Pique’s international career.  He’s a class act and a supremely talented center back that should be starting beside Sergio Ramos come World Cup Russia 2018.  He’s taken countess jeers from fellow Spaniards, and still puts on the La Rojo kit.