<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/messi-and-rapinoe-expected-to-take-ballon-dor-honours-265502">Lionel Messi</a> underlined his ability to make the difference on big occasions by hitting a sensational late goal to give Barcelona a 1-0 win at title rivals Atletico Madrid on Sunday as the champions reclaimed top spot in La Liga from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/la-liga-real-madrid-go-top-with-gutsy-win-against-alaves-265514">Real Madrid</a>.

The Argentine, playing his 701st game for Barca, settled a pulsating and tense encounter in the 86th minute, galloping down the right wing and cutting inside before playing a one-two with Luis Suarez and guiding the ball into the bottom corner.

It was Messi's 30th goal in 39 competitive games against Atletico and inflicted a first home defeat on Diego Simeone's side since they were beaten by Real Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano in February.

"Whenever you have a game like this which is really tight and really tough, being able to count on Messi is always an advantage," said Barca coach Ernesto Valverde.

Messi's strike saw Barca return to the top of the standings with 31 points after 14 games, ahead of Real Madrid on goal difference, while Atletico were left in sixth spot on 25 points, having played one match more than the two pacesetters.

Atleti and Barca hit the woodwork and visiting keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen made two stunning saves, while the home side felt Gerard Pique should have been shown a second yellow card in the second half for a late tackle on Alvaro Morata.

"We feel very hard done by," said Atletico midfielder Saul Niguez. "We played superbly and Barcelona had hardly any chances but when Messi appears he is capable of doing anything and he made it look so easy, that's why he is the best."

Atleti were also fortunate not to have a player sent off when Vitolo slammed into Pique's knee with a fierce challenge a few minutes later after picking up an earlier booking.

Antoine Griezmann got a hostile reception from the home fans in his first game against his old side since a bitter 120 million euro ($132.26 million) transfer to Barca in the close season and had a poor game, firing his one chance over the bar.

Atleti were under pressure after one win in their previous six games and they made a flying start, nearly going ahead when Barca's Junior Firpo deflected a cross against the far post.

Soon after Ter Stegen pulled off a marvellous save by using his body to thwart Mario Hermoso from point-blank range.

The German then demonstrated outstanding reflexes by swooping to the ground to beat away a header from Morata, while he watched a shot from Hector Herrera fly past the post.

Barca were cagey in their approach for large chunks of the game although Pique hit the bar with a header before the break and Ivan Rakitic scuffed a shot straight at keeper Jan Oblak.

Roared on by 67,000 fans, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-atletico-madrid-held-at-alaves-after-perez-thunderbolt-258742">Atletico</a> looked more likely to snatch a winner but yet again Messi proved the difference.

The Argentine clinched the 2015 La Liga title for Barca with a strike against Atletico and also hit winning goals against them in pivotal games in the 2016/17 and 2017/18 seasons.

His goal here could also prove crucial in what looks set to be a thrilling two-horse race between Barca and Real, who meet on December&nbsp;18 in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/postponed-el-clasico-to-be-played-on-december-18-spanish-football-federation-257705">'Clasico' at the Camp Nou</a>.

"We suffered a little but games like these are the ones which can win you the title," added Barca's Sergi Roberto, who also credited his side's goalkeeper for the win.

"Marc saved two clear goals and Messi decided the game, but this was a triumph for the entire team," he added.

Lionel Messi underlined his ability to make the difference on big occasions by hitting a sensational late goal to give Barcelona a 1-0 win at title rivals Atletico Madrid on Sunday as the champions reclaimed top spot in La Liga from Real Madrid.

Lionel Messi underlined his ability to make the difference on big occasions by hitting a sensational late goal to give Barcelona a 1-0 win at title rivals Atletico Madrid on Sunday as the champions reclaimed top spot in La Liga from Real Madrid. The Argentine, playing his 701st game for Barca, settled a pulsating and tense encounter in the 86th minute, galloping down the right wing and cutting inside before playing a one-two with Luis Suarez and guiding the ball into the bottom corner. It was Messi's 30th goal in 39 competitive games against Atletico and inflicted a first home defeat on Diego Simeone's side since they were beaten by Real Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano in February. "Whenever you have a game like this which is really tight and really tough, being able to count on Messi is always an advantage," said Barca coach Ernesto Valverde. Messi's strike saw Barca return to the top of the standings with 31 points after 14 games, ahead of Real Madrid on goal difference, while Atletico were left in sixth spot on 25 points, having played one match more than the two pacesetters. Atleti and Barca hit the woodwork and visiting keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen made two stunning saves, while the home side felt Gerard Pique should have been shown a second yellow card in the second half for a late tackle on Alvaro Morata. "We feel very hard done by," said Atletico midfielder Saul Niguez. "We played superbly and Barcelona had hardly any chances but when Messi appears he is capable of doing anything and he made it look so easy, that's why he is the best." Atleti were also fortunate not to have a player sent off when Vitolo slammed into Pique's knee with a fierce challenge a few minutes later after picking up an earlier booking. Antoine Griezmann got a hostile reception from the home fans in his first game against his old side since a bitter 120 million euro ($132.26 million) transfer to Barca in the close season and had a poor game, firing his one chance over the bar. Atleti were under pressure after one win in their previous six games and they made a flying start, nearly going ahead when Barca's Junior Firpo deflected a cross against the far post. Soon after Ter Stegen pulled off a marvellous save by using his body to thwart Mario Hermoso from point-blank range. The German then demonstrated outstanding reflexes by swooping to the ground to beat away a header from Morata, while he watched a shot from Hector Herrera fly past the post. Barca were cagey in their approach for large chunks of the game although Pique hit the bar with a header before the break and Ivan Rakitic scuffed a shot straight at keeper Jan Oblak. Roared on by 67,000 fans, Atletico looked more likely to snatch a winner but yet again Messi proved the difference. The Argentine clinched the 2015 La Liga title for Barca with a strike against Atletico and also hit winning goals against them in pivotal games in the 2016/17 and 2017/18 seasons. His goal here could also prove crucial in what looks set to be a thrilling two-horse race between Barca and Real, who meet on December 18 in the 'Clasico' at the Camp Nou. "We suffered a little but games like these are the ones which can win you the title," added Barca's Sergi Roberto, who also credited his side's goalkeeper for the win. "Marc saved two clear goals and Messi decided the game, but this was a triumph for the entire team," he added.

La Liga: Lionel Messi sinks Atletico as Barcelona return to the top

Barcelona needed a late winner from Arturo Vidal to beat bottom-club Leganes 2-1 on Saturday and dig out a much-needed victory ahead of what could prove a crucial month in their season.&nbsp;

Vidal poked in a fortuitous goal in the 79th minute at Butarque after Luis Suarez headed home a Lionel Messi free-kick to cancel out a brilliant opener from Leganes forward Youssef En-Nesyri.&nbsp;

Barcelona stay top of the table, three points above Real Madrid, who play later on Saturday at home to La Liga's surprise high-fliers Real Sociedad.&nbsp;

A gritty victory will also come as a relief to under-pressure coach Ernesto Valverde, whose team now turn their attention to Wednesday's crunch Champions League group game against Borussia Dortmund at Camp Nou.

A goalless draw against Slavia Prague earlier this month means Barca's qualification from Group F is no longer guaranteed.&nbsp;

After Dortmund, they then play away at Atletico Madrid in La Liga to start a month that will include trips to Inter Milan in the Champions League and Real Sociedad in La Liga before the season's first Clasico at home to Real Madrid.&nbsp;

It was important therefore to avoid a slip against Leganes, playing their first game in front of their own fans since appointing Javier Aguirre as coach.&nbsp;

"It was a big win because the game was very difficult," Valverde said. "The pitch was dreadful, there was a lot of wind and they scored early. &nbsp;

"I don't want it to sound like an excuse but it made it hard and still we were able to win. It wasn't a brilliant game but these are the ones you have to win to win the title."

The home side made the perfect start as En-Nesyri beat Gerard Pique with a wonderful early striker.&nbsp;

Pique has spent the international break juggling football with the Davis Cup, the revamped tennis tournament in Madrid that he is organising through his marketing company Kosmos. &nbsp;&nbsp;

"There is more noise outside the club than inside," said Pique after the match. "I think it's got a bit out of hand - whether I'm in Madrid, eating here, having dinner there - it's all part of the circus. But I do my job. I come here, I play football. And that's it."

Doubts about the defender's focus would not have been allayed in the opening quarter of an hour.&nbsp;

One pass from Roque Mesa was enough to set En-Nesyri free against the 32-year-old in the 12th minute.&nbsp;

Pique jostled but was taken by surprise as En-Nesyri nipped inside and bent a shot into the far corner. Leganes might have had a second soon after and Pique would have been at fault, the defender allowing Martin Braithwaite in after failing to clear, but Oscar Rodriguez was unable to capitalise.&nbsp;

Crosses were a weakness for Leganes as three Barcelona headers all could have gone in. Suarez went close. Pique hit the post. Then Suarez did find the net, glancing in Messi's clipped free-kick for his ninth goal of the season.

Barca's second owed much to luck but it came from another cross. Pique rose to head in but the ball missed him and cannoned off the foot of Ruben Perez. Vidal was waiting on the line to prod in.&nbsp;

Barcelona needed a late winner from Arturo Vidal to beat bottom-club Leganes 2-1 on Saturday and dig out a much-needed victory ahead of what could prove a crucial month in their season.

Barcelona needed a late winner from Arturo Vidal to beat bottom-club Leganes 2-1 on Saturday and dig out a much-needed victory ahead of what could prove a crucial month in their season. Vidal poked in a fortuitous goal in the 79th minute at Butarque after Luis Suarez headed home a Lionel Messi free-kick to cancel out a brilliant opener from Leganes forward Youssef En-Nesyri. Barcelona stay top of the table, three points above Real Madrid, who play later on Saturday at home to La Liga's surprise high-fliers Real Sociedad. A gritty victory will also come as a relief to under-pressure coach Ernesto Valverde, whose team now turn their attention to Wednesday's crunch Champions League group game against Borussia Dortmund at Camp Nou. A goalless draw against Slavia Prague earlier this month means Barca's qualification from Group F is no longer guaranteed. After Dortmund, they then play away at Atletico Madrid in La Liga to start a month that will include trips to Inter Milan in the Champions League and Real Sociedad in La Liga before the season's first Clasico at home to Real Madrid. It was important therefore to avoid a slip against Leganes, playing their first game in front of their own fans since appointing Javier Aguirre as coach. "It was a big win because the game was very difficult," Valverde said. "The pitch was dreadful, there was a lot of wind and they scored early. "I don't want it to sound like an excuse but it made it hard and still we were able to win. It wasn't a brilliant game but these are the ones you have to win to win the title." The home side made the perfect start as En-Nesyri beat Gerard Pique with a wonderful early striker. Pique has spent the international break juggling football with the Davis Cup, the revamped tennis tournament in Madrid that he is organising through his marketing company Kosmos. "There is more noise outside the club than inside," said Pique after the match. "I think it's got a bit out of hand - whether I'm in Madrid, eating here, having dinner there - it's all part of the circus. But I do my job. I come here, I play football. And that's it." Doubts about the defender's focus would not have been allayed in the opening quarter of an hour. One pass from Roque Mesa was enough to set En-Nesyri free against the 32-year-old in the 12th minute. Pique jostled but was taken by surprise as En-Nesyri nipped inside and bent a shot into the far corner. Leganes might have had a second soon after and Pique would have been at fault, the defender allowing Martin Braithwaite in after failing to clear, but Oscar Rodriguez was unable to capitalise. Crosses were a weakness for Leganes as three Barcelona headers all could have gone in. Suarez went close. Pique hit the post. Then Suarez did find the net, glancing in Messi's clipped free-kick for his ninth goal of the season. Barca's second owed much to luck but it came from another cross. Pique rose to head in but the ball missed him and cannoned off the foot of Ruben Perez. Vidal was waiting on the line to prod in.

La Liga: Arturo Vidal's late strike ensure Barcelona go past bottom-placed Leganes

Catalan separatist activists blocked traffic on Monday on a motorway linking Spain and France, in a fresh protest <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/freedom-for-political-prisoners-catalan-separatists-chant-on-election-eve-261118">against the sentencing</a> last month of nine of their leaders to lengthy jail terms.

Demonstrators cut the AP7 motorway at La Jonquera near the city of Girona in eastern Spain, a day after a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spain-votes-in-repeat-general-election-amid-catalonia-tensions-261157">repeat general election</a> in which Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialist emerged as winners but weakened, while far-right party Vox surged to third place on the back of its hardline stance against separatism.

Dozens of vehicles blocked the motorway near the border with France while some 300 people set up a barricade, according to an AFP photographer at the scene.

Some demonstrators began to set up a stage and speakers which they brought to the scene in vans.

Catalonia's regional road department confirmed the motorway was cut in both directions at La Jonquera.

The protest was called by a new, mysterious organisation called "Democratic Tsunami" which last month sent thousands of people to block access to Barcelona airport in a protest which ended in clashes between demonstrators and police.

"This mobilisation is a cry to the international community so that it makes the Spanish state understand that the only possible path is to sit down and talk," the group said in a message sent to its followers on encrypted messaging service Telegram.

Radical separatist group CDR also called on its supporters to head to La Jonquera to block the highway.

Catalonia was rocked by days of mass, sometimes violent, pro-independence rallies after Spain's Supreme Court on October 14 sentenced nine politicians and activists to jail for up to 13 years for their role in a failed secession bid in 2017.

Demonstrators have frequently cut road and rail links between Spain and France while many shops in downtown Barcelona have been shut during the rallies and there are growing concerns about the impact of the unrest on business in Spain's second-largest city.

Catalan separatist activists blocked traffic on Monday on a motorway linking Spain and France, in a fresh protest against the sentencing last month of nine of their leaders to lengthy jail terms.

Catalan separatist activists blocked traffic on Monday on a motorway linking Spain and France, in a fresh protest against the sentencing last month of nine of their leaders to lengthy jail terms. Demonstrators cut the AP7 motorway at La Jonquera near the city of Girona in eastern Spain, a day after a repeat general election in which Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialist emerged as winners but weakened, while far-right party Vox surged to third place on the back of its hardline stance against separatism. Dozens of vehicles blocked the motorway near the border with France while some 300 people set up a barricade, according to an AFP photographer at the scene. Some demonstrators began to set up a stage and speakers which they brought to the scene in vans. Catalonia's regional road department confirmed the motorway was cut in both directions at La Jonquera. The protest was called by a new, mysterious organisation called "Democratic Tsunami" which last month sent thousands of people to block access to Barcelona airport in a protest which ended in clashes between demonstrators and police. "This mobilisation is a cry to the international community so that it makes the Spanish state understand that the only possible path is to sit down and talk," the group said in a message sent to its followers on encrypted messaging service Telegram. Radical separatist group CDR also called on its supporters to head to La Jonquera to block the highway. Catalonia was rocked by days of mass, sometimes violent, pro-independence rallies after Spain's Supreme Court on October 14 sentenced nine politicians and activists to jail for up to 13 years for their role in a failed secession bid in 2017. Demonstrators have frequently cut road and rail links between Spain and France while many shops in downtown Barcelona have been shut during the rallies and there are growing concerns about the impact of the unrest on business in Spain's second-largest city.

Catalan separatists block Spain-France highway

Waving separatist flags and chanting "freedom for political prisoners" thousands of supporters of Catalan independence gathered in Barcelona for concerts and rallies on Saturday, while some protesters faced off with police, a day before Spain heads to the polls for a general election.

Mostly organised by secretive Catalan protest group Democratic Tsunami, the demonstrations aim to force Spaniards to reflect on the prison sentences handed down last month to nine separatist leaders who spearheaded a failed independence bid in 2017, organisers said.

In one protest called by CDR, another separatist group that favours direct action such as blocking highways, several hundred demonstrators tried to reach the Spanish police headquarters, the flashpoint of some of last month's riots, but were blocked by police.

There were tense moments as masked protesters, singing the Catalan anthem, threw eggs and other objects at the police and tried to barricade the road with waste bins.

Officers responded by chasing them through central Barcelona's restaurant-packed streets until the crowd dispersed.

Local media said there was no immediate word of any arrests. A spokesman for the Catalan police could not confirm whether any arrests were made during the protest.

The election campaign has been dominated by the Catalonia separatist issue after weeks of sometimes violent protests that followed the Supreme Court's ruling on the Catalan leaders.

Attending the rally, Jovita Mezquita, 69, praised Democratic Tsunami's initiatives, including its first protest, which disrupted Barcelona's airport in mid-October.

"We have to be imaginative," she said. "We have to do things that have impact in the world," she added, arguing that separatists were not taken into account in the rest of Spain.

But away from the protests, some Barcelona residents were sceptical that things could change for the region, where separatism is a highly divisive issue.

"I see (it as) very complicated for the situation in Catalonia to be resolved, because at the national level, that is to say at the Spanish level, I do not see that there is a great desire to do it," said Maria Rodriguez, a 33-year old actress.

Democratic Tsunami, which advocates non-violent actions, called on supporters to demonstrate across the region on Saturday afternoon and suggested there would be more to come if Spanish politicians refuse to engage with separatists.

"As long as there is no dialogue, instability will continue," it said in a statement late on Saturday. "The (Spanish) state will not be able to continue with repression without having a citizens' response."

The group, whose leadership remains unknown, said the controversial app it uses to organise events had received more than 1,000 attacks.

The campaign for Catalan independence has been mostly peaceful for years, but some protests turned violent last month, with a minority of mostly young demonstrators torching cars and launching petrol bombs at police.

Madrid sent around 2,500 additional national police officers - including anti-riot units - to support Catalonia's regional police force ahead of the election, a national police spokesman in Barcelona told Reuters.

The goal is to "guarantee that everyone can exercise their right to vote," the spokesman said.

A Catalan police spokeswoman declined to comment on the force's security plans.

Carme Martin, 68, who attended Saturday's protest said she could understand some of the youth's frustration after last month's riots in Barcelona.

"I don't like violence but (I understand) if it is defensive," she said.

Waving separatist flags and chanting "freedom for political prisoners" thousands of supporters of Catalan independence gathered in Barcelona for concerts and rallies on Saturday, while some protesters faced off with police, a day before Spain heads to the polls for a general election.

Waving separatist flags and chanting "freedom for political prisoners" thousands of supporters of Catalan independence gathered in Barcelona for concerts and rallies on Saturday, while some protesters faced off with police, a day before Spain heads to the polls for a general election. Mostly organised by secretive Catalan protest group Democratic Tsunami, the demonstrations aim to force Spaniards to reflect on the prison sentences handed down last month to nine separatist leaders who spearheaded a failed independence bid in 2017, organisers said. In one protest called by CDR, another separatist group that favours direct action such as blocking highways, several hundred demonstrators tried to reach the Spanish police headquarters, the flashpoint of some of last month's riots, but were blocked by police. There were tense moments as masked protesters, singing the Catalan anthem, threw eggs and other objects at the police and tried to barricade the road with waste bins. Officers responded by chasing them through central Barcelona's restaurant-packed streets until the crowd dispersed. Local media said there was no immediate word of any arrests. A spokesman for the Catalan police could not confirm whether any arrests were made during the protest. The election campaign has been dominated by the Catalonia separatist issue after weeks of sometimes violent protests that followed the Supreme Court's ruling on the Catalan leaders. Attending the rally, Jovita Mezquita, 69, praised Democratic Tsunami's initiatives, including its first protest, which disrupted Barcelona's airport in mid-October. "We have to be imaginative," she said. "We have to do things that have impact in the world," she added, arguing that separatists were not taken into account in the rest of Spain. But away from the protests, some Barcelona residents were sceptical that things could change for the region, where separatism is a highly divisive issue. "I see (it as) very complicated for the situation in Catalonia to be resolved, because at the national level, that is to say at the Spanish level, I do not see that there is a great desire to do it," said Maria Rodriguez, a 33-year old actress. Democratic Tsunami, which advocates non-violent actions, called on supporters to demonstrate across the region on Saturday afternoon and suggested there would be more to come if Spanish politicians refuse to engage with separatists. "As long as there is no dialogue, instability will continue," it said in a statement late on Saturday. "The (Spanish) state will not be able to continue with repression without having a citizens' response." The group, whose leadership remains unknown, said the controversial app it uses to organise events had received more than 1,000 attacks. The campaign for Catalan independence has been mostly peaceful for years, but some protests turned violent last month, with a minority of mostly young demonstrators torching cars and launching petrol bombs at police. Madrid sent around 2,500 additional national police officers - including anti-riot units - to support Catalonia's regional police force ahead of the election, a national police spokesman in Barcelona told Reuters. The goal is to "guarantee that everyone can exercise their right to vote," the spokesman said. A Catalan police spokeswoman declined to comment on the force's security plans. Carme Martin, 68, who attended Saturday's protest said she could understand some of the youth's frustration after last month's riots in Barcelona. "I don't like violence but (I understand) if it is defensive," she said.

'Freedom for political prisoners,' Catalan separatists chant on election eve

Around 200 people protested outside a community centre in the north of Barcelona on Wednesday (November 6) as far-right party Vox organised a campaign rally.

Catalonia's separatist CDR stage protest against far-right Vox party

Barcelona were booed off the pitch by their supporters as their patchy form continued with a 0-0 draw at home to Slavia Prague in their Champions League Group F game on Tuesday.

Ernesto Valverde's side had fallen to a 3-1<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/barcelona-crash-to-defeat-at-levante-after-second-half-collapse-259630"> defeat at Levante</a> in La Liga on the weekend and could not give the rousing response they craved, failing to break down a diligent and bold Slavia side.

With Luis Suarez injured, Barca lacked a cutting edge and visiting goalkeeper Ondrej Kolar produced an admirable display to shut out the Catalans, thwarting Lionel Messi and Sergi Roberto from close range in the second half.

Messi also struck the top of the post in the first period following a thrilling solo charge from his own half and then teed up Arturo Vidal for a tap-in late in the game but the effort was ruled out for offside against the Argentine.

"Playing like this it's difficult to see us winning the Champions League," said Barca defender Gerard Pique.

"We had chances to score but the ball wouldn't go in. Results aren't going our way in these last two games, and when you go two games without winning at Barca the fans expect more because expectations are so high."

Barca lead the group on eight points after four games, while Slavia are bottom with two.

The Czechs, who were unfortunate to lose 2-1 at home to Barcelona two weeks ago, made a bright start and nearly took an early lead with a heavily-deflected shot which was repelled by the Catalans' goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

They did manage to find the net at the end of the first half but the goal was disallowed for a clear offside.

The visitors had bright spells in the second half although they did not manage to test Ter Stegen further, and angry boos and whistles rang out around the Camp Nou at fulltime.

"It's a difficult moment for us but the fans have the right to express how they feel and it's up to us to deal with it," said Barca defender Clement Lenglet.

"We knew Slavia were a dangerous opponent who had quality and we were not taken by surprise by them. We suffered at various stages of the game.

"We don't have any time to sit around and get worried, we have to keep working and play every three days. We're going to turn this around."

There was more bad news for Barca after the game, with the club revealing first-choice left back Jordi Alba had injured his hamstring.

The club's statement did not say how long the Spaniard would be out for but Spanish media reports said he could be missing for three weeks.

Barcelona were booed off the pitch by their supporters as their patchy form continued with a 0-0 draw at home to Slavia Prague in their Champions League Group F game on Tuesday.

Barcelona were booed off the pitch by their supporters as their patchy form continued with a 0-0 draw at home to Slavia Prague in their Champions League Group F game on Tuesday. Ernesto Valverde's side had fallen to a 3-1 defeat at Levante in La Liga on the weekend and could not give the rousing response they craved, failing to break down a diligent and bold Slavia side. With Luis Suarez injured, Barca lacked a cutting edge and visiting goalkeeper Ondrej Kolar produced an admirable display to shut out the Catalans, thwarting Lionel Messi and Sergi Roberto from close range in the second half. Messi also struck the top of the post in the first period following a thrilling solo charge from his own half and then teed up Arturo Vidal for a tap-in late in the game but the effort was ruled out for offside against the Argentine. "Playing like this it's difficult to see us winning the Champions League," said Barca defender Gerard Pique. "We had chances to score but the ball wouldn't go in. Results aren't going our way in these last two games, and when you go two games without winning at Barca the fans expect more because expectations are so high." Barca lead the group on eight points after four games, while Slavia are bottom with two. The Czechs, who were unfortunate to lose 2-1 at home to Barcelona two weeks ago, made a bright start and nearly took an early lead with a heavily-deflected shot which was repelled by the Catalans' goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen. They did manage to find the net at the end of the first half but the goal was disallowed for a clear offside. The visitors had bright spells in the second half although they did not manage to test Ter Stegen further, and angry boos and whistles rang out around the Camp Nou at fulltime. "It's a difficult moment for us but the fans have the right to express how they feel and it's up to us to deal with it," said Barca defender Clement Lenglet. "We knew Slavia were a dangerous opponent who had quality and we were not taken by surprise by them. We suffered at various stages of the game. "We don't have any time to sit around and get worried, we have to keep working and play every three days. We're going to turn this around." There was more bad news for Barca after the game, with the club revealing first-choice left back Jordi Alba had injured his hamstring. The club's statement did not say how long the Spaniard would be out for but Spanish media reports said he could be missing for three weeks.

Champions League: Camp Nou turns on toothless Barca after draw with Slavia

Nineteen-year-old University of Barcelona student Emma Mayor has been camping out in University Plaza since Wednesday (October 30).Despite some bad weather and rumours of police action against the mini-tent city, the law and business student is staying in one of the almost 200 tents deployed on the square.

Catalan independence cause brings community together in Barcelona student camp

La Liga champions Barcelona's long winning streak came to an abrupt halt when they suffered a shock 3-1 defeat away to Levante on Saturday after taking the lead but then conceding three times in the space of seven minutes in the second half.

Barca had returned to the top of the table by thrashing Real Valladolid 5-1 in mid-week for a seventh straight victory in all competitions and put themselves in a comfortable position when Lionel Messi converted a penalty in the 38th minute.

Their problems began when Luis Suarez was taken off injured a few moments later and they collapsed in the second half, with Levante scoring with all of their first three shots on target.

Jose Campana levelled in the 61st minute following a quick-fire counter-attack after winning the ball in Barca's half, then former Real Madrid striker Borja Mayoral put them ahead in the 63rd with a superb curling strike from outside the area.

Nemanja Radoja gave the home side extra breathing space with a third goal in the 67th on the volley following a free-kick, while Messi put the ball in the net later to briefly give Barca hope but the goal was ruled out for offside by Antoine Griezmann after a VAR review.

It was Barca's third defeat of the campaign yet they still lead the standings on 22 points and a superior goal difference over Real Madrid, who were held to a goalless draw at home to Real Betis and are second on the same number of points.

Atletico Madrid are third on 21 after drawing 1-1 away to Sevilla, who are fourth, also on 21.

Levante, who have won three of their last four home fixtures against Ernesto Valverde's side, moved up to eighth in the table on 17 points.

Seven minutes

"It was an even game but they took advantage of those seven minutes. It wasn't a great performance from us but the result is excessive," Barca midfielder Sergio Busquets told reporters.

"We didn't create much but in the second half we did ourselves a lot of harm with that spell when they scored three times.

"We're going to try and stay positive, we were on a great run which has now been broken but we're still top and we have a lot more games to come."

Barca coach Valverde made four changes to his team from the Valladolid game, bringing 120-million-euro signing Griezmann back into the line-up at the expense of teenager Ansu Fati while starting without Busquets, Jordi Alba and Arthur.

The manager, who has won the title with Barca for the last two seasons, was asked after the defeat if he was considering his position but emphatically ruled out stepping away.

"Of course I'm not thinking about that, this is only one defeat. We have to react, we always do and it won't be any different this time," he said.

"Our aim was to try and go for a second goal after taking the lead but we weren't able to create enough danger. We lacked organisation after the second half and had little control."

Griezmann struggled to explain Barca's collapse after the interval.

"When you concede three goals in a few minutes then it could be a problem of everything, attitude and our style of play. We have to do everything to stop this happening again," said the French forward.

"We didn't start the second half well but there's nothing we can do about it, we can only improve and learn. Anything can happen in a game but it's how you react, and we didn't react properly today."

La Liga champions Barcelona's long winning streak came to an abrupt halt when they suffered a shock 3-1 defeat away to Levante on Saturday after taking the lead but then conceding three times in the space of seven minutes in the second half.

La Liga champions Barcelona's long winning streak came to an abrupt halt when they suffered a shock 3-1 defeat away to Levante on Saturday after taking the lead but then conceding three times in the space of seven minutes in the second half. Barca had returned to the top of the table by thrashing Real Valladolid 5-1 in mid-week for a seventh straight victory in all competitions and put themselves in a comfortable position when Lionel Messi converted a penalty in the 38th minute. Their problems began when Luis Suarez was taken off injured a few moments later and they collapsed in the second half, with Levante scoring with all of their first three shots on target. Jose Campana levelled in the 61st minute following a quick-fire counter-attack after winning the ball in Barca's half, then former Real Madrid striker Borja Mayoral put them ahead in the 63rd with a superb curling strike from outside the area. Nemanja Radoja gave the home side extra breathing space with a third goal in the 67th on the volley following a free-kick, while Messi put the ball in the net later to briefly give Barca hope but the goal was ruled out for offside by Antoine Griezmann after a VAR review. It was Barca's third defeat of the campaign yet they still lead the standings on 22 points and a superior goal difference over Real Madrid, who were held to a goalless draw at home to Real Betis and are second on the same number of points. Atletico Madrid are third on 21 after drawing 1-1 away to Sevilla, who are fourth, also on 21. Levante, who have won three of their last four home fixtures against Ernesto Valverde's side, moved up to eighth in the table on 17 points. Seven minutes "It was an even game but they took advantage of those seven minutes. It wasn't a great performance from us but the result is excessive," Barca midfielder Sergio Busquets told reporters. "We didn't create much but in the second half we did ourselves a lot of harm with that spell when they scored three times. "We're going to try and stay positive, we were on a great run which has now been broken but we're still top and we have a lot more games to come." Barca coach Valverde made four changes to his team from the Valladolid game, bringing 120-million-euro signing Griezmann back into the line-up at the expense of teenager Ansu Fati while starting without Busquets, Jordi Alba and Arthur. The manager, who has won the title with Barca for the last two seasons, was asked after the defeat if he was considering his position but emphatically ruled out stepping away. "Of course I'm not thinking about that, this is only one defeat. We have to react, we always do and it won't be any different this time," he said. "Our aim was to try and go for a second goal after taking the lead but we weren't able to create enough danger. We lacked organisation after the second half and had little control." Griezmann struggled to explain Barca's collapse after the interval. "When you concede three goals in a few minutes then it could be a problem of everything, attitude and our style of play. We have to do everything to stop this happening again," said the French forward. "We didn't start the second half well but there's nothing we can do about it, we can only improve and learn. Anything can happen in a game but it's how you react, and we didn't react properly today."

Barcelona crash to defeat at Levante after second-half collapse

Spain's main political parties kicked off a highly condensed electoral campaign on Thursday night, just 10 days before Spaniards head to the polls for a repeat&nbsp;election&nbsp;that is likely to show an&nbsp;increasingly&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/catalan-crisis-looms-large-over-spains-november-election-257364">fragmented&nbsp;society</a>.

With voting booths set to open on November&nbsp;10, the&nbsp;election&nbsp;will be&nbsp;Spain's fourth in four years and opinion polls suggest that no party and neither the left nor right-wing bloc will gain enough seats to take control of the 350-member parliament.

The leaders of the Socialist and Conservative parties blamed each other for the country's political paralysis in their first campaign rallies.

Speaking in Seville, acting socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez repeatedly encouraged people to get out and vote and sought to convince undecided voters.

According to a recent aggregate of polls published by&nbsp;Spain's state-run Centre for Sociological Studies, around 32 per cent&nbsp;of voters still have not decided for whom to vote.

"The Socialist Party is the only political party that can guarantee a government in our country," Sanchez said.

Spain&nbsp;has been stuck in a political limbo since the Socialists emerged as the most popular party in an&nbsp;election&nbsp;in April but failed to win enough seats to form a government.

Pablo Casado, leader of the conservative People's Party, cast the&nbsp;election&nbsp;as a referendum on Sanchez, who he said was "holding the country hostage for his own political gain."

Presenting himself as the candidate for a united&nbsp;Spain, Casado said he would take a hard line against separatism.

"Torra can't stay one more minute in the Generaliat while there is still violence on the streets of Barcelona," he said, referring to the pro-independence head of the Catalan government Quim Torra.

The run-up&nbsp;to the campaign has been overshadowed by weeks of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/activists-gear-up-for-weekend-of-mass-protest-in-barcelona-258305">violent protests in Catalonia</a>, which erupted after nine separatist leaders were slapped with prison sentences for their role in a failed independence bid.

Recent polling has shown waning support for the Socialists since the protests began, while parties on the right that have adopted a stronger stance against separatism are gaining.

Far-right party Vox is on track to nearly double its number of seats in parliament, a poll published on Thursday showed, which would make it the third most-voted party.

In a rally in Barcelona, Vox's leader, Santiago Abascal, described the situation in Catalonia as a national emergency. He said that if he is elected prime minister, his first move would be to order Torra's arrest.

Spain's main political parties kicked off a highly condensed electoral campaign on Thursday night, just 10 days before Spaniards head to the polls for a repeat election that is likely to show an increasingly fragmented society.

Spain's main political parties kicked off a highly condensed electoral campaign on Thursday night, just 10 days before Spaniards head to the polls for a repeat election that is likely to show an increasingly fragmented society. With voting booths set to open on November 10, the election will be Spain's fourth in four years and opinion polls suggest that no party and neither the left nor right-wing bloc will gain enough seats to take control of the 350-member parliament. The leaders of the Socialist and Conservative parties blamed each other for the country's political paralysis in their first campaign rallies. Speaking in Seville, acting socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez repeatedly encouraged people to get out and vote and sought to convince undecided voters. According to a recent aggregate of polls published by Spain's state-run Centre for Sociological Studies, around 32 per cent of voters still have not decided for whom to vote. "The Socialist Party is the only political party that can guarantee a government in our country," Sanchez said. Spain has been stuck in a political limbo since the Socialists emerged as the most popular party in an election in April but failed to win enough seats to form a government. Pablo Casado, leader of the conservative People's Party, cast the election as a referendum on Sanchez, who he said was "holding the country hostage for his own political gain." Presenting himself as the candidate for a united Spain, Casado said he would take a hard line against separatism. "Torra can't stay one more minute in the Generaliat while there is still violence on the streets of Barcelona," he said, referring to the pro-independence head of the Catalan government Quim Torra. The run-up to the campaign has been overshadowed by weeks of violent protests in Catalonia, which erupted after nine separatist leaders were slapped with prison sentences for their role in a failed independence bid. Recent polling has shown waning support for the Socialists since the protests began, while parties on the right that have adopted a stronger stance against separatism are gaining. Far-right party Vox is on track to nearly double its number of seats in parliament, a poll published on Thursday showed, which would make it the third most-voted party. In a rally in Barcelona, Vox's leader, Santiago Abascal, described the situation in Catalonia as a national emergency. He said that if he is elected prime minister, his first move would be to order Torra's arrest.

Spain gears up for express election amid increasingly divided society

Barcelona captain <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/messis-historic-goal-helps-barcelona-edge-slavia-prague-257888">Lionel Messi</a> scored two goals and set up two more as the Catalans thrashed Real Valladolid 5-1 to move top of La Liga on Tuesday.

Ernesto Valverde's side ran out comfortable winners at the Camp Nou, where Saturday's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/postponed-el-clasico-to-be-played-on-december-18-spanish-football-federation-257705">Clasico against Real </a>Madrid was due to be played before it was postponed until December because of political tension.

The unstoppable Messi teed up Arturo Vidal with a magical pass for the Chilean to put the hosts 2-1 ahead after Kiko Olivas cancelled out Clement Lenglet's early deflected opener.

Then the Argentine whipped a free kick into the top corner, fired home another and sent Luis Suarez through to ensure Barcelona moved top on 22 points from 10 matches.

"Leo showed all the quality he has, when he's like that the team really feels it," said Vidal.

"We see him every day and he surprises us every day, with the quality he has, he’s from another planet. I have no words to talk about Leo, he’s from another world, everything he does, he does well."

Barcelona took the lead after just two minutes when the ball bounced fortuitously to Lenglet in the area and he crashed an effort in off the crossbar.

Olivas levelled after 15 minutes when Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen could only parry a free kick, with the defender deflecting the ball home.

Messi, however, helped Barcelona take control with a perfect pass for Vidal before the Argentine scored his fourth goal in four matches in all competitions and 100th under coach Valverde.

The number 10 set up Ansu Fati after the break but the 16-year-old's shot was kept out by Valladolid's former Barcelona goalkeeper Jordi Masip.

Luis Suarez had a goal disallowed for offside before Messi struck again in the 75th minute, turning brilliantly before driving beyond Masip.

Messi then set up Suarez with a well-judged through-ball, which the Uruguayan dispatched with aplomb.

"They are very good and they don’t let you off the hook, Messi worked wonders," said Valladolid captain Michel. "You just have to applaud (Messi) and enjoy him."

Barcelona captain Lionel Messi scored two goals and set up two more as the Catalans thrashed Real Valladolid 5-1 to move top of La Liga on Tuesday. Ernesto Valverde's side ran out comfortable winners at the Camp Nou, where Saturday's Clasico against Real Madrid was due to be played before it was postponed until December because of political tension.

Barcelona captain Lionel Messi scored two goals and set up two more as the Catalans thrashed Real Valladolid 5-1 to move top of La Liga on Tuesday. Ernesto Valverde's side ran out comfortable winners at the Camp Nou, where Saturday's Clasico against Real Madrid was due to be played before it was postponed until December because of political tension. The unstoppable Messi teed up Arturo Vidal with a magical pass for the Chilean to put the hosts 2-1 ahead after Kiko Olivas cancelled out Clement Lenglet's early deflected opener. Then the Argentine whipped a free kick into the top corner, fired home another and sent Luis Suarez through to ensure Barcelona moved top on 22 points from 10 matches. "Leo showed all the quality he has, when he's like that the team really feels it," said Vidal. "We see him every day and he surprises us every day, with the quality he has, he’s from another planet. I have no words to talk about Leo, he’s from another world, everything he does, he does well." Barcelona took the lead after just two minutes when the ball bounced fortuitously to Lenglet in the area and he crashed an effort in off the crossbar. Olivas levelled after 15 minutes when Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen could only parry a free kick, with the defender deflecting the ball home. Messi, however, helped Barcelona take control with a perfect pass for Vidal before the Argentine scored his fourth goal in four matches in all competitions and 100th under coach Valverde. The number 10 set up Ansu Fati after the break but the 16-year-old's shot was kept out by Valladolid's former Barcelona goalkeeper Jordi Masip. Luis Suarez had a goal disallowed for offside before Messi struck again in the 75th minute, turning brilliantly before driving beyond Masip. Messi then set up Suarez with a well-judged through-ball, which the Uruguayan dispatched with aplomb. "They are very good and they don’t let you off the hook, Messi worked wonders," said Valladolid captain Michel. "You just have to applaud (Messi) and enjoy him."

La Liga: Lionel Messi's double sends Barcelona top in Valladolid rout

Support for&nbsp;Chile's Sebastian Pinera has plunged to just 14per cent&nbsp;amid recent unrest, according to a poll published on Sunday, the lowest approval rating for a&nbsp;Chilean president since the country's return to democracy three decades ago.

The survey, published in local daily La Tercera, was conducted by&nbsp;Chilean pollster Cadem between Wednesday and Thursday. It came just before a rally that saw <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chilean-president-vows-major-reshuffle-after-week-of-protests-258314">1 million&nbsp;Chileans</a>, or just under one-fifth the city's population, take to the streets Friday to call for reforms to the country's social and economic model.

Daily La Tercera called Pinera's 14per cent&nbsp;approval rating a "historical minimum," and the lowest since the 1973-1990 military rule of dictator Augusto Pinochet. More than three-quarters of&nbsp;Chileans disapproved of the centre-right Pinera's administration, the poll found.

Chile, the world's top copper producer, has long been one of the region's most prosperous and stable free-market economies. But entrenched inequality and spiralling costs of living ignited massive, and sometimes violent,<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/chile-anti-govt-protests-escalate-258114"> protests</a> last week.

Similar scenes have played out in cities across the world in recent months, from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/protests-erupt-in-hong-kong-police-fire-tear-gas-to-clear-rally-258401">Hong Kong</a> to Beirut to Barcelona, sharing in common anger at ruling elites.

In&nbsp;Chile, a hike in subway fares more than a week ago proved the breaking point. Small protests quickly boiled over into riots that have killed at least 17 people, resulted in more than 7,000 arrests and caused upwards of $1.4 billion in losses to&nbsp;Chilean businesses.

Pinera, a billionaire businessman, last week called for a new "social pact," to stem the unrest. He promised higher taxes on the rich to help boost the minimum wage and pensions, lower the prices of medicines and assure proper health insurance.

The Cadem poll found that 80 per cent&nbsp;of&nbsp;Chileans did not think his reforms were adequate.

Roberto Izikson, a pollster and political scientist with Cadem, told Reuters Pinera's ratings were already trending downwards before the protests began.

"We will see how the government plays the last few cards it holds to confront this new scenario," Izikson said.

The centre-right Pinera trounced the leftist opposition during 2017 elections. But mass rallies forcing Pinera to change his tone and upend his policy goals.

On Saturday, Pinera promised a major cabinet shake-up, though he has yet to announce details.

Support for Chile's Sebastian Pinera has plunged to just 14per cent amid recent unrest, according to a poll published on Sunday, the lowest approval rating for a Chilean president since the country's return to democracy three decades ago.

Support for Chile's Sebastian Pinera has plunged to just 14per cent amid recent unrest, according to a poll published on Sunday, the lowest approval rating for a Chilean president since the country's return to democracy three decades ago. The survey, published in local daily La Tercera, was conducted by Chilean pollster Cadem between Wednesday and Thursday. It came just before a rally that saw 1 million Chileans, or just under one-fifth the city's population, take to the streets Friday to call for reforms to the country's social and economic model. Daily La Tercera called Pinera's 14per cent approval rating a "historical minimum," and the lowest since the 1973-1990 military rule of dictator Augusto Pinochet. More than three-quarters of Chileans disapproved of the centre-right Pinera's administration, the poll found. Chile, the world's top copper producer, has long been one of the region's most prosperous and stable free-market economies. But entrenched inequality and spiralling costs of living ignited massive, and sometimes violent, protests last week. Similar scenes have played out in cities across the world in recent months, from Hong Kong to Beirut to Barcelona, sharing in common anger at ruling elites. In Chile, a hike in subway fares more than a week ago proved the breaking point. Small protests quickly boiled over into riots that have killed at least 17 people, resulted in more than 7,000 arrests and caused upwards of $1.4 billion in losses to Chilean businesses. Pinera, a billionaire businessman, last week called for a new "social pact," to stem the unrest. He promised higher taxes on the rich to help boost the minimum wage and pensions, lower the prices of medicines and assure proper health insurance. The Cadem poll found that 80 per cent of Chileans did not think his reforms were adequate. Roberto Izikson, a pollster and political scientist with Cadem, told Reuters Pinera's ratings were already trending downwards before the protests began. "We will see how the government plays the last few cards it holds to confront this new scenario," Izikson said. The centre-right Pinera trounced the leftist opposition during 2017 elections. But mass rallies forcing Pinera to change his tone and upend his policy goals. On Saturday, Pinera promised a major cabinet shake-up, though he has yet to announce details.

Support for Chile President Pinera lowest since Pinochet era: Poll

Catalan protesters hurled paintballs, used rubber bullets and plastic balls at police in Barcelona as they gathered outside Spanish National Police headquarters where they protested against violent police action last week after the conviction of secessionist leaders on October 14 triggered daily demonstrations calling for their release.

Catalonia Protest: Major clash between Police and Protesters

Spain's protest-hit northeast was gripped by a general strike Friday as thousands of "freedom marchers" converged on Barcelona for a mass show of dissent over the jailing of nine Catalan separatist leaders.

With the angry demonstrations entering their fifth day, activists blocked a string of roads in the wealthy northeastern region, cutting off the main cross-border highway with France.

Workers were also downing tools against Monday's Supreme Court verdict in which the separatist leaders were handed long jail terms over a banned referendum and an abortive independence declaration two years ago.

As well as the strike, tens of thousands of people streamed into Barcelona after a three-day march from five Catalan towns in a bid to cause chaos on the roads in a region that accounts for about a fifth of Spain's economic output.

They were due to gather for yet another massive demonstration -- expected to be the largest yet.&nbsp;

By early afternoon, thousands of striking students were marching through the city, waving signs reading: "We the people will not yield" and "Free the political prisoners".

"We have to push a bit more and we'll get what we want," said 18-year-old Miquel Flores, a nursing student, referring to a referendum on independence.

"The strength of the Catalan people is unstoppable."

The huge turnout came after yet another night of violent clashes, which Catalan regional interior minister Miquel Buch said involved "fewer incidents, but more violent".

"The criminal and violent behaviour we've seen in Barcelona is intolerable," he said, insisting such unrest had "nothing to do with the separatist claim".

And Barcelona city council said the first three days of clashes had cost an estimated 1,575,000 euros ($1,755,000) in damage, without taking into account Thursday's &nbsp;vandalism.&nbsp;

So far, more than 700 large wheelie bins have been torched, while mob violence had also damaged traffic lights, street signs, trees and the city's bike-share service, it said.&nbsp;

La Boqueria market shuttered

At Barcelona's El Prat airport, 55 flights were cancelled, and Spanish carmaker SEAT halted production at its Martorell assembly plant which employs some 6,500 people, in anticipation of transportation problems.&nbsp;

In Barcelona, Spain's top tourist destination, the Sagrada Familia basilica closed due to protesters blocking access, and the famous Liceu opera house cancelled Friday night's performance.&nbsp;

Barcelona's huge wholesale market, which exports around a third of the region's fresh produce, was barely trading on Friday, and at the city's famed La Boqueria market, most of the stalls were closed.&nbsp;

At one stall, Barcelona-born Susana Medialdea, 53, was selling olives and pickles entirely dressed in yellow.

"I came in voluntarily to work but only as long as I could wear yellow to express my total disagreement with the sentence," she told AFP, saying she felt "very angry" about it.

But another veteran stallholder took the opposite view.&nbsp;

"I am real Catalan but I don't support this independence project at all, people are letting themselves be used, above all the youth," said 75-year-old Carmen Isern, accusing the secessionists of dishonesty.&nbsp;

"We've had seven years of lies. They only tell the teenagers bad things about Spain."

Real Madrid - Barca clash postponed

Across the region, many roads were blocked off either by demonstrators, or by burning tyres or mattresses, and in one case, activists threw nails on the ground, puncturing tyres on passing cars.

With the region mired in chaos, football authorities cancelled the &nbsp;Barcelona and Real Madrid Clasico set for October 26 at the Nou Camp &nbsp;stadium. Both clubs had reportedly refused an offer to hold the match in Madrid.

The general strike follows a fourth night of unrest, after hundreds of protesters rampaged through Barcelona, torching improvised roadblocks and tossing Molotov cocktails at police, AFP correspondents said.

Emergency services said 42 people were injured across the region overnight, while police said they had arrested around 110 people since Monday, at least 11 overnight.&nbsp;

Berta Barbet, a political scientist at the University of Barcelona, told AFP on Thursday the demonstrations "in their current size" would likely only last a week.

The Supreme Court's explosive decision has thrust the Catalan dispute to the heart of the political debate as Spain heads towards a fourth election in as many years, which will be held on November 10. 
&nbsp;

Spain's protest-hit northeast was gripped by a general strike Friday as thousands of "freedom marchers" converged on Barcelona for a mass show of dissent over the jailing of nine Catalan separatist leaders.

Spain's protest-hit northeast was gripped by a general strike Friday as thousands of "freedom marchers" converged on Barcelona for a mass show of dissent over the jailing of nine Catalan separatist leaders. With the angry demonstrations entering their fifth day, activists blocked a string of roads in the wealthy northeastern region, cutting off the main cross-border highway with France. Workers were also downing tools against Monday's Supreme Court verdict in which the separatist leaders were handed long jail terms over a banned referendum and an abortive independence declaration two years ago. As well as the strike, tens of thousands of people streamed into Barcelona after a three-day march from five Catalan towns in a bid to cause chaos on the roads in a region that accounts for about a fifth of Spain's economic output. They were due to gather for yet another massive demonstration -- expected to be the largest yet. By early afternoon, thousands of striking students were marching through the city, waving signs reading: "We the people will not yield" and "Free the political prisoners". "We have to push a bit more and we'll get what we want," said 18-year-old Miquel Flores, a nursing student, referring to a referendum on independence. "The strength of the Catalan people is unstoppable." The huge turnout came after yet another night of violent clashes, which Catalan regional interior minister Miquel Buch said involved "fewer incidents, but more violent". "The criminal and violent behaviour we've seen in Barcelona is intolerable," he said, insisting such unrest had "nothing to do with the separatist claim". And Barcelona city council said the first three days of clashes had cost an estimated 1,575,000 euros ($1,755,000) in damage, without taking into account Thursday's vandalism. So far, more than 700 large wheelie bins have been torched, while mob violence had also damaged traffic lights, street signs, trees and the city's bike-share service, it said. La Boqueria market shuttered At Barcelona's El Prat airport, 55 flights were cancelled, and Spanish carmaker SEAT halted production at its Martorell assembly plant which employs some 6,500 people, in anticipation of transportation problems. In Barcelona, Spain's top tourist destination, the Sagrada Familia basilica closed due to protesters blocking access, and the famous Liceu opera house cancelled Friday night's performance. Barcelona's huge wholesale market, which exports around a third of the region's fresh produce, was barely trading on Friday, and at the city's famed La Boqueria market, most of the stalls were closed. At one stall, Barcelona-born Susana Medialdea, 53, was selling olives and pickles entirely dressed in yellow. "I came in voluntarily to work but only as long as I could wear yellow to express my total disagreement with the sentence," she told AFP, saying she felt "very angry" about it. But another veteran stallholder took the opposite view. "I am real Catalan but I don't support this independence project at all, people are letting themselves be used, above all the youth," said 75-year-old Carmen Isern, accusing the secessionists of dishonesty. "We've had seven years of lies. They only tell the teenagers bad things about Spain." Real Madrid - Barca clash postponed Across the region, many roads were blocked off either by demonstrators, or by burning tyres or mattresses, and in one case, activists threw nails on the ground, puncturing tyres on passing cars. With the region mired in chaos, football authorities cancelled the Barcelona and Real Madrid Clasico set for October 26 at the Nou Camp stadium. Both clubs had reportedly refused an offer to hold the match in Madrid. The general strike follows a fourth night of unrest, after hundreds of protesters rampaged through Barcelona, torching improvised roadblocks and tossing Molotov cocktails at police, AFP correspondents said. Emergency services said 42 people were injured across the region overnight, while police said they had arrested around 110 people since Monday, at least 11 overnight. Berta Barbet, a political scientist at the University of Barcelona, told AFP on Thursday the demonstrations "in their current size" would likely only last a week. The Supreme Court's explosive decision has thrust the Catalan dispute to the heart of the political debate as Spain heads towards a fourth election in as many years, which will be held on November 10.

General strike grips Catalonia, 'freedom marchers' hit Barcelona

Barcelona was bracing Saturday for a weekend of fresh protest, with large rallies by independence supporters and a counter-demonstration by Catalan "remainers" as the backlash over Spain's jailing of separatist leaders rumbled on.

Barcelona was bracing Saturday for a weekend of fresh protest, with large rallies by independence supporters and a counter-demonstration by Catalan "remainers" as the backlash over Spain's jailing of separatist leaders rumbled on. Catalonia has been gripped by unrest since the controversial Supreme Court verdict on October 14 which unleashed a week of huge demonstrations that quickly turned violent, with angry protesters clashing with riot police. The violence eased off last week although the protests continued, with thousands of students marching peacefully through the city on Friday, waving flags and chanting "The streets will always be ours". But activists were gearing up for a mass rally on Saturday called by the ANC and Omnium Cultural, the region's two biggest grassroots pro-independence groups that have organised some of the largest separatist protests in recent years. Then on Sunday, a counter-demonstration has been planned by activists from Catalan Civil Society (SCC), a group representing those who want the region to remain part of Spain, which organised several large protests around the time of the failed independence bid of 2017. Catalans remain sharply divided over the question of separating from Spain, with a September poll showing 44 percent in favour but 48.3 percent against, and the violent protests over the verdict have only deepened that division. Following the sentence, the protests turned violent, with demonstrators torching barricades, hurling Molotov cocktails, rocks and even acid at the police who responded with teargas, foam rounds and rubber bullets. More than 600 people were injured, among them 367 civilians, four of whom lost an eye, Catalan regional health officials said, with another 289 police hurt, the Spanish government said on Friday. 'Criminal separatism' "This Saturday the word 'freedom' will ring throughout the streets of Barcelona," wrote Omnium on its Twitter account ahead of the demonstration which was to begin near Barcelona port at 5:00 pm (1500 GMT). Activists from the radical CDR have also called their own protest at 7:30 pm during the evening, raising fears there could be fresh clashes with police. Earlier on Saturday, thousands of protesters rallied in Madrid in defence of the unity of Spain at a demonstration called by the far-right Vox party, which has taken a very tough line on Catalan separatism and wants all regional pro-independence parties banned. Party leader Santiago Abascal said only Vox could handle the "criminal separatism" in Catalonia. Although the faction only entered parliament in April, polls indicate it might become the third largest party following the November 10 election. The big demonstration on Sunday will bring other Catalans onto the streets who do not want to separate from Spain, but who want to send a message saying "enough violence and confrontation," SCC head Fernando Sanchez Costa told AFP. "That is an important message for Catalonia, for Spain and the world, where often separatism is associated with Catalonia," he said, recalling that most Catalans did not agree with the separatist agenda. "From now on we must listen to the social majority in Catalonia that opposes independence and whose emotions are also running high." - Separation 'not an option' - The march, which is taking place almost two weeks before the general election, is expected to draw several senior political figures, including Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell who himself is Catalan; the leader of the conservative People's Party Pablo Casado; and head of the centre-right Ciudadanos, Albert Rivera. Until now, the Socialist government of Pedro Sanchez has turned a deaf ear to repeated calls for dialogue from regional president Quim Torra, who wants to secure Madrid's agreement for a referendum on independence. "What we will not talk about is the right to self-determination," Carmen Calvo, Sanchez's deputy, told journalists on Saturday. "If, as president Torra has said every day, the aim is to break up Spain's territorial unity and separate Catalonia from Spain, we simply cannot talk," she said. "Unilaterally breaking the rules of the game is not an option."

Activists gear up for weekend of mass protest in Barcelona

Lionel Messi claimed another goal-scoring record as Barcelona edged a spirited Slavia Prague 2-1 on Wednesday to stay top of Champions League Group F.

Messi opened the scoring after three minutes, beating Slavia goalkeeper Ondrej Kolar with a low left-footed shot to become the first player ever to score at least once in 15 consecutive Champions League seasons.

The 32-year-old Argentinian first robbed midfielder Petr Sevcik outside the Slavia box before an exchange with Arthur put him neatly through the static Slavia defence.

Barca earned a second on 57 minutes when Slavia winger Peter Olayinka deflected a Luis Suarez close-range shot from an impossible angle into his own nett as the hosts failed to clear Messi's free-kick.

Olayinka sealed Barca's sixth straight competitive win but deprived Suarez of a goal that would end his four-year drought in away games in European cup competitions.

Before that, left-back Jan Boril equalised for Slavia five minutes after half-time, capitalising on a superb pass threaded by Lukas Masopust that found him one-on-one with goalkeeper Marc Andre ter Stegen.

Barcelona top Group F with seven points from three games and are three ahead of Inter Milan who beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0. Slavia sits at the bottom with a single point.

"The result could have been better, but Slavia took risks, they played very well and made us defend a lot," said Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde.

"We started very well, we dominated the game, but we also lost the ball a few times and they threatened,&nbsp;they really made us suffer because when they struggle, they boost their offence and that's exactly what they did today."

He added: "We are at the top of the table and we play the next two games at home. They will show us where we are."

Commenting on Messi making history, Valverde said: "It is really an incredible record. I hope Leo will continue to do well."

Slavia coach Jindrich Trpisovsky bemoaned Slavia's bad luck with the ugly second goal.

"It's a shame to lose with a goal like this," he said.

Valverde made two changes from last weekend's 3-0 win at Eibar, calling up Nelson Semedo and Gerard Pique to replace Samuel Umtiti and Sergi Roberto, both sidelined with knee injuries.

Jaroslav Zeleny almost grabbed a goal for Slavia on 20 minutes after a superb pass from Boril, but his shot bounced off the feet of a diving ter Stegen.

At the other end of the pitch, Messi curled a free-kick into the Slavia box but Clement Lenglet's poke was too weak to surprise Kolar, while minutes later Suarez blasted the ball over the crossbar.

Slavia came close again when Zeleny put through Masopust whose low shot was stopped by ter Stegen, and only seconds later the German keeper had a hard time clearing Olayinka's shot over the crossbar.

Kolar then denied Suarez after a fine pass from Messi before kicking out Frenkie de Jong's powerful low attempt from inside the box.

Slavia had a third good chance just before half-time, but Lukas Masopust missed narrowly with a low left-footed effort across the goal.

"The opening minutes were dreadful, but if I look beyond the first twenty minutes I must say the boys played a fantastic game," said Trpisovsky.

After the break, Slavia midfielder Nicolae Stanciu missed narrowly from long range and skipper Tomas Soucek headed over the crossbar.

Messi saw two shots cleared by Kolar and failed to finish into a gaping goal, while Suarez's low shot went just wide.

Slavia put the visitors under heavy pressure in the closing minutes but the Barcelona defence did a good job blocking all their shots and ter Stegen stopped Olayinka's stoppage-time header on the line.

Lionel Messi claimed another goal-scoring record as Barcelona edged a spirited Slavia Prague 2-1 on Wednesday to stay top of Champions League Group F. Messi opened the scoring after three minutes, beating Slavia goalkeeper Ondrej Kolar with a low left-footed shot to become the first player ever to score at least once in 15 consecutive Champions League seasons.

Lionel Messi claimed another goal-scoring record as Barcelona edged a spirited Slavia Prague 2-1 on Wednesday to stay top of Champions League Group F. Messi opened the scoring after three minutes, beating Slavia goalkeeper Ondrej Kolar with a low left-footed shot to become the first player ever to score at least once in 15 consecutive Champions League seasons. The 32-year-old Argentinian first robbed midfielder Petr Sevcik outside the Slavia box before an exchange with Arthur put him neatly through the static Slavia defence. Barca earned a second on 57 minutes when Slavia winger Peter Olayinka deflected a Luis Suarez close-range shot from an impossible angle into his own nett as the hosts failed to clear Messi's free-kick. Olayinka sealed Barca's sixth straight competitive win but deprived Suarez of a goal that would end his four-year drought in away games in European cup competitions. Before that, left-back Jan Boril equalised for Slavia five minutes after half-time, capitalising on a superb pass threaded by Lukas Masopust that found him one-on-one with goalkeeper Marc Andre ter Stegen. Barcelona top Group F with seven points from three games and are three ahead of Inter Milan who beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0. Slavia sits at the bottom with a single point. "The result could have been better, but Slavia took risks, they played very well and made us defend a lot," said Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde. "We started very well, we dominated the game, but we also lost the ball a few times and they threatened, they really made us suffer because when they struggle, they boost their offence and that's exactly what they did today." He added: "We are at the top of the table and we play the next two games at home. They will show us where we are." Commenting on Messi making history, Valverde said: "It is really an incredible record. I hope Leo will continue to do well." Slavia coach Jindrich Trpisovsky bemoaned Slavia's bad luck with the ugly second goal. "It's a shame to lose with a goal like this," he said. Valverde made two changes from last weekend's 3-0 win at Eibar, calling up Nelson Semedo and Gerard Pique to replace Samuel Umtiti and Sergi Roberto, both sidelined with knee injuries. Jaroslav Zeleny almost grabbed a goal for Slavia on 20 minutes after a superb pass from Boril, but his shot bounced off the feet of a diving ter Stegen. At the other end of the pitch, Messi curled a free-kick into the Slavia box but Clement Lenglet's poke was too weak to surprise Kolar, while minutes later Suarez blasted the ball over the crossbar. Slavia came close again when Zeleny put through Masopust whose low shot was stopped by ter Stegen, and only seconds later the German keeper had a hard time clearing Olayinka's shot over the crossbar. Kolar then denied Suarez after a fine pass from Messi before kicking out Frenkie de Jong's powerful low attempt from inside the box. Slavia had a third good chance just before half-time, but Lukas Masopust missed narrowly with a low left-footed effort across the goal. "The opening minutes were dreadful, but if I look beyond the first twenty minutes I must say the boys played a fantastic game," said Trpisovsky. After the break, Slavia midfielder Nicolae Stanciu missed narrowly from long range and skipper Tomas Soucek headed over the crossbar. Messi saw two shots cleared by Kolar and failed to finish into a gaping goal, while Suarez's low shot went just wide. Slavia put the visitors under heavy pressure in the closing minutes but the Barcelona defence did a good job blocking all their shots and ter Stegen stopped Olayinka's stoppage-time header on the line.

Messi's historic goal helps Barcelona edge Slavia Prague

The rearranged Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid will be played on December 18 despite opposition from La Liga, the Spanish Football Federation confirmed on Tuesday.

Spain's most prestigious fixture, which was due to take place at Camp Nou on Saturday,<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/october-26-clasico-between-barcelona-real-madrid-postponed-amid-catalan-crisis-256690"> was postponed</a> last week because of violent pro-independence protests in Catalonia. La Liga had proposed a new date of December 4.

&nbsp;

The rearranged Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid will be played on December 18 despite opposition from La Liga, the Spanish Football Federation confirmed on Tuesday.

The rearranged Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid will be played on December 18 despite opposition from La Liga, the Spanish Football Federation confirmed on Tuesday. Spain's most prestigious fixture, which was due to take place at Camp Nou on Saturday, was postponed last week because of violent pro-independence protests in Catalonia. La Liga had proposed a new date of December 4.

Postponed El Clasico to be played on December 18: Spanish Football Federation

Catalan protesters clashed with&nbsp;police&nbsp;on Saturday&nbsp;on the&nbsp;sixth&nbsp;day of protests against the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/sedition-in-spain-government-jails-leaders-of-catalonia-secessionist-movement-255825">jailing of Catalan separatist leaders </a>which has caused a wave of violence in the region.

Heavy&nbsp;police&nbsp;presence was seen at a series of demonstrations in the Catalan capital which lasted late into the&nbsp;night. The majority remained peaceful, with protesters staging a sit-down and shining lights from their phones. Others turned violent with fires and clashes between protesters and riot&nbsp;police.

The&nbsp;sixth&nbsp;night&nbsp;of&nbsp;unrest&nbsp;ended with the&nbsp;police&nbsp;pulling&nbsp;back&nbsp;and protesters chanting slogans like "We won" and celebrating the&nbsp;police's departure.

Barcelona saw its worst&nbsp;night&nbsp;of disturbances in decades on Friday (October 18) as masked youths blocked roads with blazing garbage bins and hurled rocks at security forces, who responded by firing repeated rounds of smoke grenades and tear gas.

Catalan protesters clashed with police on Saturday on the sixth day of protests against the jailing of Catalan separatist leaders which has caused a wave of violence in the region.

Catalan protesters clashed with police on Saturday on the sixth day of protests against the jailing of Catalan separatist leaders which has caused a wave of violence in the region. Heavy police presence was seen at a series of demonstrations in the Catalan capital which lasted late into the night. The majority remained peaceful, with protesters staging a sit-down and shining lights from their phones. Others turned violent with fires and clashes between protesters and riot police. The sixth night of unrest ended with the police pulling back and protesters chanting slogans like "We won" and celebrating the police's departure. Barcelona saw its worst night of disturbances in decades on Friday (October 18) as masked youths blocked roads with blazing garbage bins and hurled rocks at security forces, who responded by firing repeated rounds of smoke grenades and tear gas.

Sixth night of unrest in Catalonia ends with police pull back

Violent clashes escalated in Barcelona late Friday, as radical Catalan separatists hurled rocks and fireworks at police, who responded with teargas and rubber bullets, turning the city centre into a chaotic battleground.

The deterioration came on the fifth consecutive day of protests in the Catalan capital and elsewhere over a Spanish court's jailing of nine separatist leaders on sedition charges over a failed independence bid two years ago.&nbsp;

Around half a million people rallied in Barcelona earlier on Friday, police said, in the biggest gathering since Monday's court ruling as separatists also called a general strike in the major tourist destination.

But while most marchers appeared peaceful, hordes of young protesters went on the rampage near the police headquarters, igniting a huge blaze that sent plumes of black smoke into the air, as police fired teargas to disperse them, an AFP correspondent said.

Watch: Catalonia protests - massive violence in Barcelona since Monday

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/catalonia-protests-massive-violence-in-barcelona-since-monday-256800/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Other fires raged near Plaza de Catalunya at the top of the tourist hotspot Las Ramblas, where hundreds of demonstrators rallied in defiance of the police, who tried to disperse them with water cannon.&nbsp;

"Anti-fascist Catalonia!" they roared. "The streets will always be ours!"

Scores of police vans could be seen fanning out around the streets, their sirens screaming as the regional police warned people in a message in English on Twitter "not to approach" the city centre.&nbsp;

The situation later appeared calmer, according to a police spokesman.&nbsp;

Earlier, many thousands of "freedom marchers", who had set out to walk from five regional towns on Wednesday, arrived in Barcelona wearing walking boots and carrying hiking poles.&nbsp;

The rally coincided with the general strike, prompting the cancellation of 57 flights, the closure of shops, business and several top tourist attractions, and slowing public transport to a trickle in a region that accounts for about a fifth of Spain's economic output.

Activists also cut off Catalonia's main cross-border highway with France.

'Reaction to injustice'

In downtown Barcelona, many shops and luxury outlets were closed on the city's Paseo de Gracia, with blackened, charred patches a testimony to the nightly clashes that have raged since Monday.&nbsp;

"With these demonstrations bringing this large city to a halt, we are using Barcelona like a microphone," said 23-year-old engineering student Ramon Pararada.&nbsp;

"It's all in reaction to the injustice," he said.&nbsp;

Retired lawyer Jaume Enrich agreed, saying the court sentence was "the straw that broke the camel's back". &nbsp;

"Madrid is putting Spanish unity above everything, including basic rights," he told AFP, wearing a badge saying "No surrender".

Nearby, a banner fluttered reading "There are not enough cages for this many birds."

Clashes and closures

The huge turnout came after yet another night of violent clashes, which Catalan regional interior minister Miquel Buch said involved "fewer incidents, but more violent".&nbsp;

And Barcelona city council said the first three days of clashes had cost an estimated 1.57 million euros ($1.75 million) in damage, with mob violence damaging traffic lights, street signs, trees and the city's bike-share service.&nbsp;

Some 128 people have been arrested since Monday, while 207 police officers had been injured before the violence escalated on Friday, according to Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska.

The emergency services said about 500 people in the region have suffered injuries since the beginning of the week, including 60 in Barcelona on Friday.

In Barcelona, Spain's top tourist destination, the Sagrada Familia basilica closed as protesters massed outside, and the Liceu opera house cancelled Friday night's performance.&nbsp;

At the city's famed La Boqueria market, most of the stalls were shut, although Susana Medialdea, 53, was selling olives and pickles entirely dressed in yellow.

"I came involuntarily to work but only as long as I could wear yellow to express my total disagreement with the sentence," she told AFP.

But another veteran stallholder took the opposite view.&nbsp;

"I am a real Catalan but I don't support this independence project at all, people are letting themselves be used, above all the youth," said 75-year-old Carmen Isern.

Spain's Clasico postponed

With the region mired in chaos, football authorities cancelled the Barcelona and Real Madrid Clasico set for October 26 at the Camp Nou stadium. Both clubs had reportedly refused an offer to hold the match in Madrid.

And Manchester City's Catalan manager Pep Guardiola, an outspoken campaigner for the independence movement, urged European intervention to ease the crisis.&nbsp;

"The international community must help us to solve the conflict between Catalonia and Spain," he said. "Some mediator from outside (must) help us sit (down) and talk."

The Supreme Court's explosive decision has thrust the Catalan dispute to the heart of the political debate as Spain heads towards the fourth election in as many years, which will be held on November 10.

Violent clashes escalated in Barcelona late Friday, as radical Catalan separatists hurled rocks and fireworks at police, who responded with teargas and rubber bullets, turning the city centre into a chaotic battleground.

Violent clashes escalated in Barcelona late Friday, as radical Catalan separatists hurled rocks and fireworks at police, who responded with teargas and rubber bullets, turning the city centre into a chaotic battleground. The deterioration came on the fifth consecutive day of protests in the Catalan capital and elsewhere over a Spanish court's jailing of nine separatist leaders on sedition charges over a failed independence bid two years ago. Around half a million people rallied in Barcelona earlier on Friday, police said, in the biggest gathering since Monday's court ruling as separatists also called a general strike in the major tourist destination. But while most marchers appeared peaceful, hordes of young protesters went on the rampage near the police headquarters, igniting a huge blaze that sent plumes of black smoke into the air, as police fired teargas to disperse them, an AFP correspondent said. Watch: Catalonia protests - massive violence in Barcelona since Monday × Other fires raged near Plaza de Catalunya at the top of the tourist hotspot Las Ramblas, where hundreds of demonstrators rallied in defiance of the police, who tried to disperse them with water cannon. "Anti-fascist Catalonia!" they roared. "The streets will always be ours!" Scores of police vans could be seen fanning out around the streets, their sirens screaming as the regional police warned people in a message in English on Twitter "not to approach" the city centre. The situation later appeared calmer, according to a police spokesman. Earlier, many thousands of "freedom marchers", who had set out to walk from five regional towns on Wednesday, arrived in Barcelona wearing walking boots and carrying hiking poles. The rally coincided with the general strike, prompting the cancellation of 57 flights, the closure of shops, business and several top tourist attractions, and slowing public transport to a trickle in a region that accounts for about a fifth of Spain's economic output. Activists also cut off Catalonia's main cross-border highway with France. 'Reaction to injustice' In downtown Barcelona, many shops and luxury outlets were closed on the city's Paseo de Gracia, with blackened, charred patches a testimony to the nightly clashes that have raged since Monday. "With these demonstrations bringing this large city to a halt, we are using Barcelona like a microphone," said 23-year-old engineering student Ramon Pararada. "It's all in reaction to the injustice," he said. Retired lawyer Jaume Enrich agreed, saying the court sentence was "the straw that broke the camel's back". "Madrid is putting Spanish unity above everything, including basic rights," he told AFP, wearing a badge saying "No surrender". Nearby, a banner fluttered reading "There are not enough cages for this many birds." Clashes and closures The huge turnout came after yet another night of violent clashes, which Catalan regional interior minister Miquel Buch said involved "fewer incidents, but more violent". And Barcelona city council said the first three days of clashes had cost an estimated 1.57 million euros ($1.75 million) in damage, with mob violence damaging traffic lights, street signs, trees and the city's bike-share service. Some 128 people have been arrested since Monday, while 207 police officers had been injured before the violence escalated on Friday, according to Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska. The emergency services said about 500 people in the region have suffered injuries since the beginning of the week, including 60 in Barcelona on Friday. In Barcelona, Spain's top tourist destination, the Sagrada Familia basilica closed as protesters massed outside, and the Liceu opera house cancelled Friday night's performance. At the city's famed La Boqueria market, most of the stalls were shut, although Susana Medialdea, 53, was selling olives and pickles entirely dressed in yellow. "I came involuntarily to work but only as long as I could wear yellow to express my total disagreement with the sentence," she told AFP. But another veteran stallholder took the opposite view. "I am a real Catalan but I don't support this independence project at all, people are letting themselves be used, above all the youth," said 75-year-old Carmen Isern. Spain's Clasico postponed With the region mired in chaos, football authorities cancelled the Barcelona and Real Madrid Clasico set for October 26 at the Camp Nou stadium. Both clubs had reportedly refused an offer to hold the match in Madrid. And Manchester City's Catalan manager Pep Guardiola, an outspoken campaigner for the independence movement, urged European intervention to ease the crisis. "The international community must help us to solve the conflict between Catalonia and Spain," he said. "Some mediator from outside (must) help us sit (down) and talk." The Supreme Court's explosive decision has thrust the Catalan dispute to the heart of the political debate as Spain heads towards the fourth election in as many years, which will be held on November 10.

Violence escalates in Barcelona after 500,000 separatists rally

Masked demonstrators clashed with police in central Barcelona on October 18 as a fifth day of protests over the jailing of separatist leaders turned violent.

Catalonia Protests: Massive violence in Barcelona since Monday

Violent clashes escalated in Barcelona late Friday, as radical Catalan separatists hurled rocks and fireworks at police, who responded with teargas and rubber bullets, turning the city centre into a chaotic battleground. The deterioration came on the fifth consecutive day of protests in the Catalan capital and elsewhere over a Spanish court's jailing of nine separatist leaders on sedition charges over a failed independence bid two years ago. Around half a million people rallied in Barcelona earlier on Friday, police said, in the biggest gathering since Monday's court ruling as separatists also called a general strike in the major tourist destination. But while most marchers appeared peaceful, hordes of young protesters went on the rampage near the police headquarters, igniting a huge blaze that sent plumes of black smoke into the air, as police fired teargas to disperse them, an AFP correspondent said. Other fires raged near Plaza de Catalunya at the top of the tourist hotspot Las Ramblas, where hundreds of demonstrators rallied in defiance of the police, who tried to disperse them with water cannon. "Anti-fascist Catalonia!" they roared. "The streets will always be ours!" Scores of police vans could be seen fanning out around the streets, their sirens screaming as the regional police warned people in a message in English on Twitter "not to approach" the city centre. The situation later appeared calmer, according to a police spokesman. Earlier, many thousands of "freedom marchers", who had set out to walk from five regional towns on Wednesday, arrived in Barcelona wearing walking boots and carrying hiking poles. The rally coincided with the general strike, prompting the cancellation of 57 flights, the closure of shops, business and several top tourist attractions, and slowing public transport to a trickle in a region that accounts for about a fifth of Spain's economic output. Activists also cut off Catalonia's main cross-border highway with France. Watch: Streets of Barcelona marred by violence as Catalan protesters clash with police 'Reaction to injustice' In downtown Barcelona, many shops and luxury outlets were closed on the city's Paseo de Gracia, with blackened, charred patches a testimony to the nightly clashes that have raged since Monday. "With these demonstrations bringing this large city to a halt, we are using Barcelona like a microphone," said 23-year-old engineering student Ramon Pararada. "It's all in reaction to the injustice," he said. Retired lawyer Jaume Enrich agreed, saying the court sentence was "the straw that broke the camel's back". "Madrid is putting Spanish unity above everything, including basic rights," he told AFP, wearing a badge saying "No surrender". Nearby, a banner fluttered reading "There are not enough cages for this many birds." Clashes and closures The huge turnout came after yet another night of violent clashes, which Catalan regional interior minister Miquel Buch said involved "fewer incidents, but more violent". And Barcelona city council said the first three days of clashes had cost an estimated 1.57 million euros ($1.75 million) in damage, with mob violence damaging traffic lights, street signs, trees and the city's bike-share service. Some 128 people have been arrested since Monday, while 207 police officers had been injured before the violence escalated on Friday, according to Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska. The emergency services said about 500 people in the region have suffered injuries since the beginning of the week, including 60 in Barcelona on Friday. In Barcelona, Spain's top tourist destination, the Sagrada Familia basilica closed as protesters massed outside, and the Liceu opera house cancelled Friday night's performance. At the city's famed La Boqueria market, most of the stalls were shut, although Susana Medialdea, 53, was selling olives and pickles entirely dressed in yellow. "I came in voluntarily to work but only as long as I could wear yellow to express my total disagreement with the sentence," she told AFP. But another veteran stallholder took the opposite view. "I am a real Catalan but I don't support this independence project at all, people are letting themselves be used, above all the youth," said 75-year-old Carmen Isern.

Streets of Barcelona marred by violence as Catalan protesters clash with police. Watch video to know more.

Streets of Barcelona marred by violence as Catalan protesters clash with police

Barcelona's October&nbsp;26 La Liga soccer match at home to Real Madrid has been postponed over security concerns amid violent political <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/catalonia-protests-take-a-violent-turn-256414">demonstrations in Catalonia</a>, the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) said in on Friday.

Following huge demonstrations over the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spain-jails-nine-catalan-leaders-up-to-13-years-for-sedition-255792"> jailing of nine Catalan </a>separatist leaders, the league's organising body made an official request to the RFEF this week for the game to be rearranged.

The federation approved that request on Friday.

Regional police said 16 people had been arrested across Catalonia, while health officials said medical aid was provided to 42 people.

On a fifth day of protests, hundreds of thousands of people waving pro-independence flags and chanting "Freedom for political prisoners" took part in marches across Catalonia on Friday, set to reach Barcelona, the regional capital, later in the day.

The RFEF's competition committee said it was up to the two clubs to arrange a new date for the game before a deadline of Oct. 21. Failing that, the committee would determine the new date.

Barcelona town hall said 400 garbage containers were set ablaze during protests on Wednesday and estimated that the city had suffered damage totaling more than 1 million euros in two days.

Barcelona's October 26 La Liga soccer match at home to Real Madrid has been postponed over security concerns amid violent political demonstrations in Catalonia, the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) said in on Friday.

Barcelona's October 26 La Liga soccer match at home to Real Madrid has been postponed over security concerns amid violent political demonstrations in Catalonia, the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) said in on Friday. Following huge demonstrations over the jailing of nine Catalan separatist leaders, the league's organising body made an official request to the RFEF this week for the game to be rearranged. The federation approved that request on Friday. Regional police said 16 people had been arrested across Catalonia, while health officials said medical aid was provided to 42 people. On a fifth day of protests, hundreds of thousands of people waving pro-independence flags and chanting "Freedom for political prisoners" took part in marches across Catalonia on Friday, set to reach Barcelona, the regional capital, later in the day. The RFEF's competition committee said it was up to the two clubs to arrange a new date for the game before a deadline of Oct. 21. Failing that, the committee would determine the new date. Barcelona town hall said 400 garbage containers were set ablaze during protests on Wednesday and estimated that the city had suffered damage totaling more than 1 million euros in two days.

El Clásico between Barcelona, Real Madrid postponed amid Catalan crisis

Catalan president Quim Torra called for an immediate halt to the violent clashes that rocked Barcelona for a third day Wednesday, warning they were harming the image of the separatist movement.

As the Catalan capital echoed with the sound of sirens and masked youths staged running battles with riot police, Spain's Pedro Sanchez had made a direct appeal to Torra to "clearly condemn" the violence.&nbsp;

Earlier on Wednesday, thousands gathered for a protest called by the radical CDR.&nbsp;

But as the evening wore on, the situation quickly became chaotic, with hundreds running through the streets, hurling broken paving stones, torching cars and occasionally stopping to take selfies in front of the burning barricades.&nbsp;

"This isn't violence, it's self-defence," roared a group of masked youngsters in front of a blazing barricade.&nbsp;

Some even threw Molotov cocktails, the regional police said, with scenes of violence also spreading to other cities in the region such as Tarragona and Leida, prompting the Catalan leader to give a televised address shortly after midnight.&nbsp;

"This has to stop right now," Torra said.&nbsp;

"There is no reason or justification for burning cars, nor any other vandalism. Protest should be peaceful.

"We cannot allow such groups who infiltrate and provoke to harm the image of a movement which counts millions of Catalans," he added.&nbsp;

Breaking the silence

Until now, Torra has not made any comment on the violence which erupted on Monday just hours after the Supreme Court handed down heavy prison sentences to nine Catalan leaders for their role in the failed independence bid of 2017.&nbsp;

So far, Madrid has shown little appetite for taking matters into its own hands, despite the ongoing protests in Barcelona and elsewhere that have hit screens around the world as Catalan separatists have made their anger known.&nbsp;

The latest crisis began just over two years ago when Catalonia's separatist leaders held a banned referendum then issued a short-lived declaration of independence, prompting Madrid to sack its government and suspend the region's autonomy.&nbsp;

It also put 12 of its leaders on trial, nine of whom were condemned for sedition on Monday, and handed prison terms of between nine and 13 years.&nbsp;

Earlier on Wednesday, as the crowds massed in central Barcelona, many began hurling toilet rolls into the air in response to a slogan by the movement saying there was "a lot of shit to clean up".

Street rage

"I'm just a bag of nerves," said Jose Ramon Garcia, one elderly local resident who had stepped out for a quiet drink and found himself caught up in the protests.&nbsp;

"I was just sitting calmly in the bar and suddenly the appeared from all directions," he told AFP. "And these are 'peaceful' demonstrators?"

Elsewhere an 18-year-old student with an independence flag around his shoulders said many had simply lost the will to protest peacefully.&nbsp;

"It's a reaction to what the police did on October 1 to shut down the referendum and against what the justice system did on Monday in condemning the separatist (leaders)," Bernat Busquet told AFP of the ill-fated referendum which was marred by violence.&nbsp;

Just hours after the verdict was announced, some 10,000 protesters swarmed Barcelona's El Prat airport, cutting off transport links and forcing the cancellation of more than 100 flights.&nbsp;

Riot police charged at the demonstrators on several occasions, firing foam rounds into the crowds, with the emergency services saying 115 people were injured, including a protester who lost sight in one eye. &nbsp;

A day later, hundreds of protesters, many of them masked, fought running battles with hundreds of riot police, hurling projectiles and torching barricades, with 125 demonstrators and 72 police officers injured, officials said.&nbsp;

The protests continued Wednesday, with thousands of people joining five mass marches from towns throughout the region heading for Barcelona, with the aim of causing chaos on the roads in one of Spain's most important economic regions, which is also a bottleneck for traffic with France and elsewhere in Europe.&nbsp;

The marchers plan to converge in Barcelona on Friday when unions have called a general strike in the region.

The court ruling and sentences have thrust the Catalan dispute to the heart of the political debate ahead of Spain's November 10 general election, its fourth in as many years.

Catalan president Quim Torra called for an immediate halt to the violent clashes that rocked Barcelona for a third day Wednesday, warning they were harming the image of the separatist movement.

Catalan president Quim Torra called for an immediate halt to the violent clashes that rocked Barcelona for a third day Wednesday, warning they were harming the image of the separatist movement. As the Catalan capital echoed with the sound of sirens and masked youths staged running battles with riot police, Spain's Pedro Sanchez had made a direct appeal to Torra to "clearly condemn" the violence. Earlier on Wednesday, thousands gathered for a protest called by the radical CDR. But as the evening wore on, the situation quickly became chaotic, with hundreds running through the streets, hurling broken paving stones, torching cars and occasionally stopping to take selfies in front of the burning barricades. "This isn't violence, it's self-defence," roared a group of masked youngsters in front of a blazing barricade. Some even threw Molotov cocktails, the regional police said, with scenes of violence also spreading to other cities in the region such as Tarragona and Leida, prompting the Catalan leader to give a televised address shortly after midnight. "This has to stop right now," Torra said. "There is no reason or justification for burning cars, nor any other vandalism. Protest should be peaceful. "We cannot allow such groups who infiltrate and provoke to harm the image of a movement which counts millions of Catalans," he added. Breaking the silence Until now, Torra has not made any comment on the violence which erupted on Monday just hours after the Supreme Court handed down heavy prison sentences to nine Catalan leaders for their role in the failed independence bid of 2017. So far, Madrid has shown little appetite for taking matters into its own hands, despite the ongoing protests in Barcelona and elsewhere that have hit screens around the world as Catalan separatists have made their anger known. The latest crisis began just over two years ago when Catalonia's separatist leaders held a banned referendum then issued a short-lived declaration of independence, prompting Madrid to sack its government and suspend the region's autonomy. It also put 12 of its leaders on trial, nine of whom were condemned for sedition on Monday, and handed prison terms of between nine and 13 years. Earlier on Wednesday, as the crowds massed in central Barcelona, many began hurling toilet rolls into the air in response to a slogan by the movement saying there was "a lot of shit to clean up". Street rage "I'm just a bag of nerves," said Jose Ramon Garcia, one elderly local resident who had stepped out for a quiet drink and found himself caught up in the protests. "I was just sitting calmly in the bar and suddenly the appeared from all directions," he told AFP. "And these are 'peaceful' demonstrators?" Elsewhere an 18-year-old student with an independence flag around his shoulders said many had simply lost the will to protest peacefully. "It's a reaction to what the police did on October 1 to shut down the referendum and against what the justice system did on Monday in condemning the separatist (leaders)," Bernat Busquet told AFP of the ill-fated referendum which was marred by violence. Just hours after the verdict was announced, some 10,000 protesters swarmed Barcelona's El Prat airport, cutting off transport links and forcing the cancellation of more than 100 flights. Riot police charged at the demonstrators on several occasions, firing foam rounds into the crowds, with the emergency services saying 115 people were injured, including a protester who lost sight in one eye. A day later, hundreds of protesters, many of them masked, fought running battles with hundreds of riot police, hurling projectiles and torching barricades, with 125 demonstrators and 72 police officers injured, officials said. The protests continued Wednesday, with thousands of people joining five mass marches from towns throughout the region heading for Barcelona, with the aim of causing chaos on the roads in one of Spain's most important economic regions, which is also a bottleneck for traffic with France and elsewhere in Europe. The marchers plan to converge in Barcelona on Friday when unions have called a general strike in the region. The court ruling and sentences have thrust the Catalan dispute to the heart of the political debate ahead of Spain's November 10 general election, its fourth in as many years.

Violence 'must stop now', says Catalan President as Barcelona burns

More than 40,000 people in Catalonia took to the streets in the support of the regions Independence from Spain.

Protests erupt across Barcelona

barcelona

Barcelona, News on Barcelona, stories on Barcelona, articles on Barcelona, Barcelona stories at Wion, Barcelona news, Barcelona latest news