It’s a small step, but UEFA have moved closer to Barcelona’s position by allowing the Catalan side to display a banner with the slogan “Respecte” in Wednesday’s game against BATE Borisov.
The club want to show the right to freedom of expression over the issue of the estelada flags, which UEFA have fined them for when seen around the Camp Nou and at the Champions League final.
On the banner Barcelona have added an “e” to UEFA’s own motto “Respect” – to turn it into Catalan. However, the club have agreed not to hand out estelada flags inside the stadium. The Catalan National Assembly will have to hand them out outside the ground.