BARCELONA/MADRID (Sputnik) – Thousands of participants staged a pro-independence protest near a stadium in Barcelona during a match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona on Wednesday, Sputnik correspondent reported.
“We came here to demand a political dialogue in connection with the situation in Catalonia”, one of the protesters said before the game.
Over 3,000 security forces have reportedly been dispatched to ensure order during the protest.
The police have responded with batons and rubber bullets.
The LaSexta TV channel, meanwhile, reported that law enforcement officers had fired tear gas. At least one person is said to have been detained in the unrest, which sparked after the football game was over.
Last week, Catalan pro-independence group Democratic Tsunami urged its supporters to gather near the Camp Nou stadium for a “massive” protest on 18 December. The match with Real Madrid was initially due to take place on 26 October but was delayed in light of mass unrest in the Catalan capital.
Sourse: sputniknews.com
