A clause in Lionel Messi&#39;s contract has ensured that he could become a free agent if Barcelona no longer plays in a major European league as a result of Catalan independence.

According to a report, the contract Messi signed last November includes a clause that he must remain a Barcelona player only as long as the club is playing in &quot;a top-level European league.&quot;

A source at Barcelona told AFP that &quot;for reasons of confidentiality the club never comments on contractual relations with players.&quot;

Catalonia with the population of 7.5 million and history of over 1000 years old had voted in favour of its exit from Spain.

Catalonian nationalists proclaimed independence from Spain after a referendum on October 1, precipitating a crisis which is still unresolved.&nbsp;More than 90&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;population had voted for independence.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/will-fc-barcelona-exit-spanish-football-league-21270">Will FC Barcelona exit Spanish football league?</a>

The Spanish civil and football authorities have said repeatedly that Catalan secession would end the participation of the region&#39;s clubs in the Spanish League.&nbsp;After the separation of Catalonia from Spain, the club may shut down.

If Catalonia becomes independent and Barcelona are booted out of La Liga and cannot persuade another major league (France, Italy, Germany or England) to give them a home, Messi could leave without having to pay his 700 million euro ($843 million).

Catalans have everything they need to flourish as an independent nation. A state which has its own police and parliament, amazing infrastructure and rich as well as varied heritage. Almost everything that is necessary for a country to get along with other developing nation.

But, when it comes to football, Catalonia may suffer a lot after its separation from Spain. Likewise whole Europe, Catalans also has undying madness for football. FC Barcelona holds a very important place in Spanish football leagues. Laliga,&nbsp;the most important of the Spanish league, will be incomplete without FC Barcelona.

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The contract Messi signed last November includes a clause that he must remain a Barcelona player only as long as the club is playing in 'a top-level European league'

A clause in Lionel Messi's contract has ensured that he could become a free agent if Barcelona no longer plays in a major European league as a result of Catalan independence. According to a report, the contract Messi signed last November includes a clause that he must remain a Barcelona player only as long as the club is playing in "a top-level European league." A source at Barcelona told AFP that "for reasons of confidentiality the club never comments on contractual relations with players." Catalonia with the population of 7.5 million and history of over 1000 years old had voted in favour of its exit from Spain. Catalonian nationalists proclaimed independence from Spain after a referendum on October 1, precipitating a crisis which is still unresolved. More than 90 per cent population had voted for independence. Also read: Will FC Barcelona exit Spanish football league? The Spanish civil and football authorities have said repeatedly that Catalan secession would end the participation of the region's clubs in the Spanish League. After the separation of Catalonia from Spain, the club may shut down. If Catalonia becomes independent and Barcelona are booted out of La Liga and cannot persuade another major league (France, Italy, Germany or England) to give them a home, Messi could leave without having to pay his 700 million euro ($843 million). Catalans have everything they need to flourish as an independent nation. A state which has its own police and parliament, amazing infrastructure and rich as well as varied heritage. Almost everything that is necessary for a country to get along with other developing nation. But, when it comes to football, Catalonia may suffer a lot after its separation from Spain. Likewise whole Europe, Catalans also has undying madness for football. FC Barcelona holds a very important place in Spanish football leagues. Laliga, the most important of the Spanish league, will be incomplete without FC Barcelona.

Barcelona's Messi to become 'free agent', if Catalonia exit Spain

Barcelona took a huge step towards regaining the La Liga title as goals from Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Aleix Vidal beat bitter rivals Real Madrid 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday to open up a 14-point lead over the European champions.

In a recurring theme of this season, Madrid were made to pay for Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema missing first-half chances as Barca took control after half-time.

Suarez rounded off a flowing counter-attack to open the scoring before Messi blasted home a penalty after Madrid defender Dani Carvajal was sent-off for punching the ball off the goal line.

And Messi was the creator as Vidal rubbed salt into Real&#39;s wounds deep into stoppage time.

&quot;The league isn&#39;t finished, we haven&#39;t even completed the first half of the season,&quot; claimed Barca boss Ernesto Valverde over his side&#39;s seemingly unassailable advantage.

However, victory extends Barca&#39;s unbeaten run to 25 games in all competitions as they moved nine points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid and exacted revenge for a 5-1 thrashing on aggregate in the Spanish Super Cup at the hands of Real in August.

Madrid do still have a game in hand over Barca to marginally reduce the gap at the top, but their efforts in the new year are now likely to be more focused on becoming the first side to win three consecutive Champions League titles in over 40 years.

&quot;We are down because it is a defeat that hurts,&quot; said Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane.

&quot;Madrid never give up, whatever happens. It is a difficult moment because we&#39;ve lost by three goals. I could say we don&#39;t deserve it, but that is football.&quot;

Despite the clash between the Spanish capital&#39;s and Catalonia&#39;s two giants taking place just two days after three parties favouring independence for the prosperous region from Spain retained an absolute majority in the Catalan parliament, there was little attention paid to politics inside the ground once the action got underway.

Madrid fans unfurled a huge banner proclaiming it to be a &quot;white Christmas&quot; after they claimed a club record five trophies in 2017.

However, it is Barca who will enjoy the upcoming winter break more after a second-half display which showed the turning of the tide their way since August has been no fluke.

It could have been very different for the hosts if Ronaldo had buried a huge opportunity when he completely miskicked just 10 minutes in.

Barca didn&#39;t threaten at all until the half-hour mark when Messi finally found some room in a congested midfield to pick out Paulinho&#39;s late run and the Brazilian&#39;s acrobatic effort was matched by a flying save from Keylor Navas.

Seconds later it was Marc-Andre ter Stegen to demonstrate why he has been one of the keys to Barca&#39;s success this season by getting an outstretched toe to turn Ronaldo&#39;s fiercely struck shot behind.

Benzema was inches away from giving Real a half-time lead as he headed against the post two minutes before the break.

However, Barca came out a different side in the second period to almost certainly put the title out of Madrid&#39;s reach.

&quot;In the second-half, we managed to impose our control on the game,&quot; added Valverde.

Nine minutes after the break Sergio Busquets&#39;s calm opened up the Madrid midfield as he fed Ivan Rakitic and Sergi Roberto eventually crossed to Suarez to apply the finishing touch.

Suarez was spared the embarrassment of missing two huge chances in an incredible goalmouth scramble that led to Barca&#39;s second.

Navas saved Suarez&#39;s first effort before he fired against the post with the goal at his mercy, but Paulinho&#39;s follow-up was punched off the line by Dani Carvajal.

The Spanish international accepted his punishment of a red card and Messi dispatched the resulting penalty into the top corner to kill the game as a contest.

Ter Stegen produced more heroics to ensure there was no Real fightback as he again denied Ronaldo.

And Barca put the seal of a stunning victory in stoppage time when Vidal drove Messi&#39;s cut-back towards goal and the ball squeezed in under Navas.

In a recurring theme of this season Madrid were made to pay for Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema missing first-half chances as Barca took control after half-time

Barcelona took a huge step towards regaining the La Liga title as goals from Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Aleix Vidal beat bitter rivals Real Madrid 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday to open up a 14-point lead over the European champions. In a recurring theme of this season, Madrid were made to pay for Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema missing first-half chances as Barca took control after half-time. Suarez rounded off a flowing counter-attack to open the scoring before Messi blasted home a penalty after Madrid defender Dani Carvajal was sent-off for punching the ball off the goal line. And Messi was the creator as Vidal rubbed salt into Real's wounds deep into stoppage time. "The league isn't finished, we haven't even completed the first half of the season," claimed Barca boss Ernesto Valverde over his side's seemingly unassailable advantage. However, victory extends Barca's unbeaten run to 25 games in all competitions as they moved nine points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid and exacted revenge for a 5-1 thrashing on aggregate in the Spanish Super Cup at the hands of Real in August. Madrid do still have a game in hand over Barca to marginally reduce the gap at the top, but their efforts in the new year are now likely to be more focused on becoming the first side to win three consecutive Champions League titles in over 40 years. "We are down because it is a defeat that hurts," said Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane. "Madrid never give up, whatever happens. It is a difficult moment because we've lost by three goals. I could say we don't deserve it, but that is football." Despite the clash between the Spanish capital's and Catalonia's two giants taking place just two days after three parties favouring independence for the prosperous region from Spain retained an absolute majority in the Catalan parliament, there was little attention paid to politics inside the ground once the action got underway. Madrid fans unfurled a huge banner proclaiming it to be a "white Christmas" after they claimed a club record five trophies in 2017. However, it is Barca who will enjoy the upcoming winter break more after a second-half display which showed the turning of the tide their way since August has been no fluke. It could have been very different for the hosts if Ronaldo had buried a huge opportunity when he completely miskicked just 10 minutes in. Barca didn't threaten at all until the half-hour mark when Messi finally found some room in a congested midfield to pick out Paulinho's late run and the Brazilian's acrobatic effort was matched by a flying save from Keylor Navas. Seconds later it was Marc-Andre ter Stegen to demonstrate why he has been one of the keys to Barca's success this season by getting an outstretched toe to turn Ronaldo's fiercely struck shot behind. Benzema was inches away from giving Real a half-time lead as he headed against the post two minutes before the break. However, Barca came out a different side in the second period to almost certainly put the title out of Madrid's reach. "In the second-half, we managed to impose our control on the game," added Valverde. Nine minutes after the break Sergio Busquets's calm opened up the Madrid midfield as he fed Ivan Rakitic and Sergi Roberto eventually crossed to Suarez to apply the finishing touch. Suarez was spared the embarrassment of missing two huge chances in an incredible goalmouth scramble that led to Barca's second. Navas saved Suarez's first effort before he fired against the post with the goal at his mercy, but Paulinho's follow-up was punched off the line by Dani Carvajal. The Spanish international accepted his punishment of a red card and Messi dispatched the resulting penalty into the top corner to kill the game as a contest. Ter Stegen produced more heroics to ensure there was no Real fightback as he again denied Ronaldo. And Barca put the seal of a stunning victory in stoppage time when Vidal drove Messi's cut-back towards goal and the ball squeezed in under Navas.

Clasico: Barca beat Real 3-0, go 14 points clear of them

Cristiano Ronaldo trained alone on Thursday ahead of Real Madrid&#39;s clash against Barcelona this weekend, after sustaining a knock to his calf during the Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi.

The Portugal star received rough treatment as he scored the winner in last Saturday&#39;s 1-0 victory over Brazilians Gremio in the final, but Ronaldo had insisted he would be fit for the visit of Barcelona.

&quot;Cristiano Ronaldo trained alone out on the pitch, both with and without the ball,&quot; Real wrote on their website, two days ahead of Saturday&#39;s Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Following Real&#39;s return to Spain, the five-time Ballon d&#39;Or recipient had remained in the gym on Tuesday and Wednesday before finally lacing up his boots for an individual training session on Thursday.

Spanish sports daily As reported it was simply a &quot;precaution&quot; as Real look to trim the 11-point gap between themselves and leaders Barcelona, who are unbeaten in La Liga this season.

&quot;He will play in the Clasico barring last-minute surprise,&quot; the paper added.

Zinedine Zidane&#39;s Real, who also trail Atletico Madrid and Valencia, are fourth in the table and realistically must win this weekend to remain in the running for the Spanish title.

Cristiano took a knock to his calf during the Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi

Cristiano Ronaldo trained alone on Thursday ahead of Real Madrid's clash against Barcelona this weekend, after sustaining a knock to his calf during the Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi. The Portugal star received rough treatment as he scored the winner in last Saturday's 1-0 victory over Brazilians Gremio in the final, but Ronaldo had insisted he would be fit for the visit of Barcelona. "Cristiano Ronaldo trained alone out on the pitch, both with and without the ball," Real wrote on their website, two days ahead of Saturday's Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu. Following Real's return to Spain, the five-time Ballon d'Or recipient had remained in the gym on Tuesday and Wednesday before finally lacing up his boots for an individual training session on Thursday. Spanish sports daily As reported it was simply a "precaution" as Real look to trim the 11-point gap between themselves and leaders Barcelona, who are unbeaten in La Liga this season. "He will play in the Clasico barring last-minute surprise," the paper added. Zinedine Zidane's Real, who also trail Atletico Madrid and Valencia, are fourth in the table and realistically must win this weekend to remain in the running for the Spanish title.

Ronaldo fitness worry ahead of Clasico

Atletico&nbsp;Madrid has reported Barcelona to FIFA for an &quot;illegal&quot;&nbsp;transfer approach for Antoine Griezmann.

The French forward has been linked with the Catalan club in the Spanish media and Barcelona director Guillermo Amor told Movistar on Sunday that president Josep Maria Bartomeu may have made contact with Griezmann&#39;s family, who are also his representatives, over a potential move.

Earlier this year, Griezmann&nbsp;signed a new contract&nbsp;committing him to Atletico until the end of the 2021-22 season.

&quot;Atletico&nbsp;Madrid has presented a complaint about Barcelona for repeated contact between Barcelona, the player and his people,&quot;&nbsp;Atletico&nbsp;told Reuters.

&quot;Griezmann has a long contract and this cannot be permitted, while the club also considers it could affect the competition [La Liga] in which Barcelona are currently top and&nbsp;Atletico&nbsp;are second.&quot;

Barcelona haven&#39;t&nbsp;respond so far. In 2014, Barcelona suffered&nbsp;one-year transfer ban for signing under-age players by world football governing body FIFA.

A Fifa spokesman said, &quot;We can confirm that we have received a complaint from Atletico Madrid.&quot;

Griezmann, 26, signed a new&nbsp;Atletico&nbsp;contract in June until 2022, which has a 100 million euro ($118.2 million) release clause.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Atletico Madrid reports to FIFA over Barcelona's alleged illegal approach for Atletico's star player, Antoine Griezmann

Atletico Madrid has reported Barcelona to FIFA for an "illegal" transfer approach for Antoine Griezmann. The French forward has been linked with the Catalan club in the Spanish media and Barcelona director Guillermo Amor told Movistar on Sunday that president Josep Maria Bartomeu may have made contact with Griezmann's family, who are also his representatives, over a potential move. Earlier this year, Griezmann signed a new contract committing him to Atletico until the end of the 2021-22 season. "Atletico Madrid has presented a complaint about Barcelona for repeated contact between Barcelona, the player and his people," Atletico told Reuters. "Griezmann has a long contract and this cannot be permitted, while the club also considers it could affect the competition [La Liga] in which Barcelona are currently top and Atletico are second." Barcelona haven't respond so far. In 2014, Barcelona suffered one-year transfer ban for signing under-age players by world football governing body FIFA. A Fifa spokesman said, "We can confirm that we have received a complaint from Atletico Madrid." Griezmann, 26, signed a new Atletico contract in June until 2022, which has a 100 million euro ($118.2 million) release clause. (With inputs from Reuters)

Barcelona made 'illegal' approach for Antoine Griezmann: Atletico?Madrid to FIFA

LaLiga, Spain&rsquo;s top division football league, is set to host a special match screening of one of the most anticipated matches of 2017 - El Clasico.

The game will broadcast live on December 23, when Real Madrid&nbsp;hosts FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernab&eacute;u.

Fans in India can watch the&nbsp;match in the presence of former FC Barcelona star and Italian football legend, Gianluca Zambrotta.

On joining fans at the El Clasico screening,&nbsp;Gianluca Zambrotta&nbsp;said,&nbsp;&ldquo;India has some of the most passionate fans I have ever seen. I&rsquo;m excited about joining them to watch the clash in one of my favourite cities, New Delhi. I expect 90 minutes of high-intensity football, considering both teams will do their best to enforce their supremacy&rdquo;.

For the first time ever&nbsp;has scheduled El Clasico at a prime time slot of 5.30 pm IST. The time preference has been kept in mind for India audiences. According to the LaLiga announcement release, the live screening of the match will take place at NSIC Grounds in Okhla, New Delhi on December 23, 2017.

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Gianluca Zambrotta to join fans at the screening in New Delhi. (Others)
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LaLiga India Country Manager Jose Cachaza&nbsp;said &ldquo;It is our pleasure to host a live screening of the 237th&nbsp;El Clasico for football fans in the capital. Both Real Madrid and Barcelona, along with the other LaLiga clubs, have huge fan bases in India and we are excited to offer them the LaLiga experience in a stadium-like atmosphere. El Clasico is the pageantry of football&rsquo;s biggest rivalry and we want fans in India to have a viewing experience that they can cherish all their lives.&rdquo;

For the first time ever, La Liga has scheduled an El Clasico at a prime-time slot of 5.30 pm IST

LaLiga, Spain’s top division football league, is set to host a special match screening of one of the most anticipated matches of 2017 - El Clasico. The game will broadcast live on December 23, when Real Madrid hosts FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabéu. Fans in India can watch the match in the presence of former FC Barcelona star and Italian football legend, Gianluca Zambrotta. On joining fans at the El Clasico screening, Gianluca Zambrotta said, “India has some of the most passionate fans I have ever seen. I’m excited about joining them to watch the clash in one of my favourite cities, New Delhi. I expect 90 minutes of high-intensity football, considering both teams will do their best to enforce their supremacy”. For the first time ever has scheduled El Clasico at a prime time slot of 5.30 pm IST. The time preference has been kept in mind for India audiences. According to the LaLiga announcement release, the live screening of the match will take place at NSIC Grounds in Okhla, New Delhi on December 23, 2017. Gianluca Zambrotta to join fans at the screening in New Delhi. (Others) × LaLiga India Country Manager Jose Cachaza said “It is our pleasure to host a live screening of the 237th El Clasico for football fans in the capital. Both Real Madrid and Barcelona, along with the other LaLiga clubs, have huge fan bases in India and we are excited to offer them the LaLiga experience in a stadium-like atmosphere. El Clasico is the pageantry of football’s biggest rivalry and we want fans in India to have a viewing experience that they can cherish all their lives.”

Ex-Italian footballer Gianluca Zambrotta to join fans at El Clasico screening in Delhi

Valencia kept the pressure on Liga leaders Barcelona by beating Celta Vigo 2-1 on Saturday with a late penalty from Dani Parejo and Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice for the first time in a league game this season as Real Madrid thrashed Sevilla 5-0.

Valencia were looking for a first win in three games to revive their unlikely title bid and took the lead through a header from top scorer Simone Zaza in the 28th minute, the Italian&#39;s 10th league goal of the season.

Iago Aspas stabbed in from close range in the 46th minute to equalise for Celta, who had held Barca to a 2-2 draw last weekend, but Parejo restored Valencia&#39;s lead nine minutes from time with a double stroke of fortune as his disputed penalty went through the hands of goalkeeper Ruben Blanco.

Valencia are second in the standings, moving two points behind Barcelona who have 36 and visit Villarreal on Sunday. Real go third on 31 but Atletico Madrid can go back above Zinedine Zidane&#39;s side when they visit Real Betis on Sunday.

Celta&#39;s players raged against referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero for awarding Valencia the penalty when Jose Gaya went to ground following a challenge by Pablo Hernandez.

&quot;We didn&#39;t drop points today, we had them taken off us by that person (the referee). He robbed us. I hope he doesn&#39;t officiate any more of our games,&quot; said Celta captain Hugo Mallo.

Goalscorer Aspas added: &quot;I think he must have something against Celta, in every game of ours which he has taken charge of, something has gone against us.&quot;

Valencia coach Marcelino, who was back in the dugout following a two-game touchline ban, said: &quot;It was a really exciting game. The result is fair because we scored two legal goals but Celta played very well and if they&#39;d drawn we wouldn&#39;t have been able to complain.&quot;

In Madrid, Real overcame a selection crisis in defence to crush Sevilla with a lethal attacking display, scoring all their goals before halftime.

Real were without Raphael Varane, captain Sergio Ramos, Dani Carvajal and holding midfielder Casemiro but got off to an ideal start when Nacho Fernandez cashed in on a woeful attempted clearance following a corner to score in the third minute.

Ronaldo, who had paraded his joint-record five Ballon d&#39;Or trophies on the Santiago Bernabeu pitch before kick-off, side-footed home a through ball from Marco Asensio to score the second before thumping in the third from the penalty spot.

Toni Kroos scored the most impressive goal of the game by charging forward from his own half and playing a wall pass with Lucas Vazquez before stroking the ball beyond Rico, while 18-year-old Achraf Hakimi notched his first goal for Real to complete another lethal breakaway.

Real coach Zidane was delighted with his side&#39;s performance, especially after last week&#39;s goalless draw at Athletic Bilbao.

&quot;It has been a great day for us, above all because we won and scored a lot and we hadn&#39;t done that much so far this season. It was a very complete game for us and that means a lot to me,&quot; the Frenchman told a news conference.

&quot;We&#39;re growing in every sense and playing better. When you play better you create more chances, we created a lot today and scored five times, for the first time this season (in the league).&quot;

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice for the first time in a league game this season as Real Madrid thrashed Sevilla 5-0.

Valencia kept the pressure on Liga leaders Barcelona by beating Celta Vigo 2-1 on Saturday with a late penalty from Dani Parejo and Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice for the first time in a league game this season as Real Madrid thrashed Sevilla 5-0. Valencia were looking for a first win in three games to revive their unlikely title bid and took the lead through a header from top scorer Simone Zaza in the 28th minute, the Italian's 10th league goal of the season. Iago Aspas stabbed in from close range in the 46th minute to equalise for Celta, who had held Barca to a 2-2 draw last weekend, but Parejo restored Valencia's lead nine minutes from time with a double stroke of fortune as his disputed penalty went through the hands of goalkeeper Ruben Blanco. Valencia are second in the standings, moving two points behind Barcelona who have 36 and visit Villarreal on Sunday. Real go third on 31 but Atletico Madrid can go back above Zinedine Zidane's side when they visit Real Betis on Sunday. Celta's players raged against referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero for awarding Valencia the penalty when Jose Gaya went to ground following a challenge by Pablo Hernandez. "We didn't drop points today, we had them taken off us by that person (the referee). He robbed us. I hope he doesn't officiate any more of our games," said Celta captain Hugo Mallo. Goalscorer Aspas added: "I think he must have something against Celta, in every game of ours which he has taken charge of, something has gone against us." Valencia coach Marcelino, who was back in the dugout following a two-game touchline ban, said: "It was a really exciting game. The result is fair because we scored two legal goals but Celta played very well and if they'd drawn we wouldn't have been able to complain." In Madrid, Real overcame a selection crisis in defence to crush Sevilla with a lethal attacking display, scoring all their goals before halftime. Real were without Raphael Varane, captain Sergio Ramos, Dani Carvajal and holding midfielder Casemiro but got off to an ideal start when Nacho Fernandez cashed in on a woeful attempted clearance following a corner to score in the third minute. Ronaldo, who had paraded his joint-record five Ballon d'Or trophies on the Santiago Bernabeu pitch before kick-off, side-footed home a through ball from Marco Asensio to score the second before thumping in the third from the penalty spot. Toni Kroos scored the most impressive goal of the game by charging forward from his own half and playing a wall pass with Lucas Vazquez before stroking the ball beyond Rico, while 18-year-old Achraf Hakimi notched his first goal for Real to complete another lethal breakaway. Real coach Zidane was delighted with his side's performance, especially after last week's goalless draw at Athletic Bilbao. "It has been a great day for us, above all because we won and scored a lot and we hadn't done that much so far this season. It was a very complete game for us and that means a lot to me," the Frenchman told a news conference. "We're growing in every sense and playing better. When you play better you create more chances, we created a lot today and scored five times, for the first time this season (in the league)."

Football: Ronaldo at the double for Real, Valencia edge out Celta

Barcelona scored twice in the second half to beat Sporting Lisbon 2-0 at home on Tuesday, rounding off their unbeaten group stage campaign with a fourth win, while knocking the Portuguese side out of the competition.

With Lionel Messi left on the bench, Paco Alcacer gave Barca the lead in the 59th minute with a glancing header from a corner while former Barca defender Jeremy Mathieu clumsily slid Aleix Vidal`s low cross into his own net in stoppage time.

Barca had already secured their place in the last 16 of the competition as Group D winners before the game, while Sporting needed to win and for Juventus not to beat Olympiakos in order to reach the knockouts for the first time in nine seasons.

Their hopes were quickly dashed when Juan Cuadrado put Juventus ahead in the 15th minute in Athens and Federico Bernardeschi made it 2-0 in the 90th to ensure Sporting dropped into the Europa League whatever happened at the Nou Camp.

Barca coach Ernesto Valverde made eight changes to the team that had drawn 2-2 with Celta Vigo on Saturday, including picking Thomas Vermaelen in place of injured Samuel Umtiti and starting without Messi for the second European game in a row.

Messi came on moments after Alcacer had broken the deadlock and the Argentine instantly lifted Barca`s tempo. He went close to doubling their lead three times in quick succession, twice missing the target and forcing a save from visiting goalkeeper Rui Patricio.

At the other end Barca`s reserve goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen made an outstanding save to thwart his Dutch international team mate Bas Dost.

Sporting defender Mathieu left Barca after an inconsistent yet trophy-filled three-year spell at Barca but had the home fans chanting his name ironically after he unwittingly knocked in the second goal to seal the victory.&nbsp;

With Lionel Messi left on the bench, Paco Alcacer gave Barca the lead in the 59th minute

Barcelona scored twice in the second half to beat Sporting Lisbon 2-0 at home on Tuesday, rounding off their unbeaten group stage campaign with a fourth win, while knocking the Portuguese side out of the competition. With Lionel Messi left on the bench, Paco Alcacer gave Barca the lead in the 59th minute with a glancing header from a corner while former Barca defender Jeremy Mathieu clumsily slid Aleix Vidal`s low cross into his own net in stoppage time. Barca had already secured their place in the last 16 of the competition as Group D winners before the game, while Sporting needed to win and for Juventus not to beat Olympiakos in order to reach the knockouts for the first time in nine seasons. Their hopes were quickly dashed when Juan Cuadrado put Juventus ahead in the 15th minute in Athens and Federico Bernardeschi made it 2-0 in the 90th to ensure Sporting dropped into the Europa League whatever happened at the Nou Camp. Barca coach Ernesto Valverde made eight changes to the team that had drawn 2-2 with Celta Vigo on Saturday, including picking Thomas Vermaelen in place of injured Samuel Umtiti and starting without Messi for the second European game in a row. Messi came on moments after Alcacer had broken the deadlock and the Argentine instantly lifted Barca`s tempo. He went close to doubling their lead three times in quick succession, twice missing the target and forcing a save from visiting goalkeeper Rui Patricio. At the other end Barca`s reserve goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen made an outstanding save to thwart his Dutch international team mate Bas Dost. Sporting defender Mathieu left Barca after an inconsistent yet trophy-filled three-year spell at Barca but had the home fans chanting his name ironically after he unwittingly knocked in the second goal to seal the victory.

Champions League: Barca end Sporting's hopes with 2-0 win

La Liga leaders Barcelona were held to a 2-2 home draw by Celta Vigo on Saturday as their former assistant coach Juan Carlos Unzue dented the title hopes of the Catalans, who dropped points for the second game in a row for the first time this campaign.

Celta striker Iago Aspas silenced the Nou Camp by giving Celta the lead in the 20th minute, knocking in on the rebound after splitting the home defence with a darting run through the middle.

Lionel Messi quickly replied at the other end, finishing off a sweeping team move two minutes later to score for the first time in six games in all competitions and net his 13th league goal of the season.

Messi helped set up what looked to be the winning goal for Luis Suarez in the 62nd minute as the striker thrashed home a Jordi Alba cutback but Barca were denied victory by another Uruguayan striker in Maxi Gomez.

He slotted in from close range after another searing run by Aspas, who capitalised on Barca defender Samuel Umtiti injuring his hamstring as he tried to keep up with the Spanish forward.

Gerard Pique missed a gilt-edged chance to hit the winner but struck the near post from close range while Messi, who also hit the woodwork earlier in the game, sent a free kick deep in stoppage time just wide of the post.

Barca still lead the standings with 36 points but second-placed Valencia can cut their deficit on the leaders down to two if they beat Getafe on Sunday.

Later on Saturday Atletico Madrid, third on 27 points, host Real Sociedad while champions Real Madrid, also on 27, visit struggling Athletic Bilbao.

Celta striker Iago Aspas silenced the Nou Camp by giving Celta the lead in the 20th minute, knocking in on the rebound after splitting the home defence with a darting run through the middle

La Liga leaders Barcelona were held to a 2-2 home draw by Celta Vigo on Saturday as their former assistant coach Juan Carlos Unzue dented the title hopes of the Catalans, who dropped points for the second game in a row for the first time this campaign. Celta striker Iago Aspas silenced the Nou Camp by giving Celta the lead in the 20th minute, knocking in on the rebound after splitting the home defence with a darting run through the middle. Lionel Messi quickly replied at the other end, finishing off a sweeping team move two minutes later to score for the first time in six games in all competitions and net his 13th league goal of the season. Messi helped set up what looked to be the winning goal for Luis Suarez in the 62nd minute as the striker thrashed home a Jordi Alba cutback but Barca were denied victory by another Uruguayan striker in Maxi Gomez. He slotted in from close range after another searing run by Aspas, who capitalised on Barca defender Samuel Umtiti injuring his hamstring as he tried to keep up with the Spanish forward. Gerard Pique missed a gilt-edged chance to hit the winner but struck the near post from close range while Messi, who also hit the woodwork earlier in the game, sent a free kick deep in stoppage time just wide of the post. Barca still lead the standings with 36 points but second-placed Valencia can cut their deficit on the leaders down to two if they beat Getafe on Sunday. Later on Saturday Atletico Madrid, third on 27 points, host Real Sociedad while champions Real Madrid, also on 27, visit struggling Athletic Bilbao.

Barca held 2-2 by Celta despite Messi ending goal drought

Lionel Messi has signed a new contract with Barcelona until 2021, the Liga leaders confirmed, ending speculation that the five-times world player of the year could leave the club where he has spent his entire career for free next June.

&quot;FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi signed on Saturday morning a new contract that will keep the Argentine superstar at the Club through the 2020/21 season,&quot; said a statement from Barca, posting a picture of Messi signing the deal alongside president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

&quot;The buyout clause was set at 700 million euros ($835.10 million).&quot;

Messi, 30, agreed the new contract with Barcelona in July but the club did not release the usual photo of the player putting pen to paper, fuelling speculation he could depart in June 2018, when his previous deal ran out, for free.

Messi is Barca&#39;s all-time top scorer with 523 goals in all competitions and has won eight Liga, five King&#39;s Cup and four Champions League titles since making his debut for the Catalan club in 2004, having joined their youth academy in 2000 aged 13.

He leads the scoring charts in La Liga with 12 goals and on Friday picked up the 2017 European Sports Media Golden Shoe for being the top scorer in a domestic league last season with 37 goals.

Barca can extend their lead at the top of La Liga to seven points if they beat second-placed Valencia on Sunday.

&quot;We should have signed this a long time ago and now we have and I&#39;m happy to continue with the club, which is my home,&quot; Messi told Barca&#39;s official television channel.

&quot;My dream was to finish my career at Bar&ccedil;a and we are moving down that path. Our objective is to continue achieving great things, fill the trophy cabinet and keep making history.

&quot;We&#39;ve been lucky enough to have won a great many things and I hope there will be more in the future.&quot;

Barca president Bartomeu hinted that Messi&#39;s buy-out clause had been cranked up from 300 million euros in the agreement in June up to 700 million euros after the club lost Neymar to Paris St Germain in August after the French giants paid the Brazilian international&#39;s clause of 222 million euros.

&quot;It&#39;s a new contract that we have signed today, because although the one we signed in June was up to par with his greatness as a player, the new one is more in line with the current situation in the ever-changing world of football,&quot; Bartomeu said.

&quot;It&#39;s a great contract for the best player in football history. It fills me with pride to see him with us renewing his love for the club.&quot;

Messi is Barca's all-time top scorer with 523 goals in all competitions and has won eight Liga, five King's Cup and four Champions League titles since making his debut for the Catalan club in 2004, having joined their youth academy in 2000 aged 13.

Lionel Messi has signed a new contract with Barcelona until 2021, the Liga leaders confirmed, ending speculation that the five-times world player of the year could leave the club where he has spent his entire career for free next June. "FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi signed on Saturday morning a new contract that will keep the Argentine superstar at the Club through the 2020/21 season," said a statement from Barca, posting a picture of Messi signing the deal alongside president Josep Maria Bartomeu. "The buyout clause was set at 700 million euros ($835.10 million)." Messi, 30, agreed the new contract with Barcelona in July but the club did not release the usual photo of the player putting pen to paper, fuelling speculation he could depart in June 2018, when his previous deal ran out, for free. Messi is Barca's all-time top scorer with 523 goals in all competitions and has won eight Liga, five King's Cup and four Champions League titles since making his debut for the Catalan club in 2004, having joined their youth academy in 2000 aged 13. He leads the scoring charts in La Liga with 12 goals and on Friday picked up the 2017 European Sports Media Golden Shoe for being the top scorer in a domestic league last season with 37 goals. Barca can extend their lead at the top of La Liga to seven points if they beat second-placed Valencia on Sunday. "We should have signed this a long time ago and now we have and I'm happy to continue with the club, which is my home," Messi told Barca's official television channel. "My dream was to finish my career at Barça and we are moving down that path. Our objective is to continue achieving great things, fill the trophy cabinet and keep making history. "We've been lucky enough to have won a great many things and I hope there will be more in the future." Barca president Bartomeu hinted that Messi's buy-out clause had been cranked up from 300 million euros in the agreement in June up to 700 million euros after the club lost Neymar to Paris St Germain in August after the French giants paid the Brazilian international's clause of 222 million euros. "It's a new contract that we have signed today, because although the one we signed in June was up to par with his greatness as a player, the new one is more in line with the current situation in the ever-changing world of football," Bartomeu said. "It's a great contract for the best player in football history. It fills me with pride to see him with us renewing his love for the club."

Football: Messi signs new contract with  Barcelona until 2021

Lionel Messi on Saturday finally put pen to paper on a contract extension keeping him at Barcelona until 2021, the club announced, making official an agreement reached in July.

The Spanish giants had announced in the summer that Messi had committed his future to the club but the Argentine had not signed the new deal, with his existing contract set to expire in 2018.

&quot;FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi signed on Saturday morning a new contract that will keep the Argentinian superstar at the club through the 2020/21 season,&quot; read a club statement. &quot;The buyout clause was set at 700 million euros ($835 million).&quot;

Lionel Messi on Saturday finally put pen to paper on a contract extension keeping him at Barcelona until 2021, the club announced, making official an agreement reached in July

Lionel Messi on Saturday finally put pen to paper on a contract extension keeping him at Barcelona until 2021, the club announced, making official an agreement reached in July. The Spanish giants had announced in the summer that Messi had committed his future to the club but the Argentine had not signed the new deal, with his existing contract set to expire in 2018. "FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi signed on Saturday morning a new contract that will keep the Argentinian superstar at the club through the 2020/21 season," read a club statement. "The buyout clause was set at 700 million euros ($835 million)."

Messi extends Barcelona contract until 2021

Real Madrid and Atletico each slipped 10 points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona after an intense Madrid derby finished goalless and the Catalans picked up an 11th victory in 12 games by winning 3-0 at Leganes.

Atletico forward Angel Correa wasted a glorious chance to open the scoring in the first derby at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium when he was through on goal in the third minute, while Toni Kroos missed Real&#39;s clearest opportunity.

Raphael Varane rescued Real by heading away Kevin Gameiro&#39;s chipped shot in the second half. At the other end, Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak made two late saves to thwart Cristiano Ronaldo and Kroos as Real finished stronger in the first league derby to finish 0-0 in more than 12 years.

Barca striker Luis Suarez snapped a goal drought spanning five games by scoring twice in his side&#39;s 3-0 win at Leganes, while substitute Paulinho poked in the third goal in stoppage time.

Barca lead the standings on 34 points from 12 games, seven clear of Valencia who visit Espanyol on Sunday, while Real are third on 24, level on points with Atletico in fourth. Sevilla are fifth after coming from behind to beat Celta Vigo 2-1 at home.

The intense rivalry between Real and Atletico could be felt throughout the game, with Correa booting a ball at Karim Benzema&#39;s face when the French striker was on the floor or when Stefan Savic cynically hauled down Kroos.

Towards the end of the first half Lucas Hernandez kicked Sergio Ramos in the face as the captain tried to land a diving header, an incident which could have led to a Real penalty and saw Ramos taken off with a fractured nose.

Atletico fans booed Antoine Griezmann off the pitch when he was substituted following a lifeless performance from the France striker, who has not scored for his club since Sept. 27.

Real coach Zinedine Zidane said his side deserved more from the game, the fifth occasion in which they have dropped points this season.

&quot;Sometimes the ball doesn&#39;t want to go in. I can&#39;t explain why,&quot; he told reporters.

&quot;The good thing about tonight is we played well. Of course, we&#39;re struggling to score, but we know we will. We need to stay positive, which we are. We need to keep on working because this is football and things change very quickly and I&#39;m sure we&#39;ll be fighting for the title until the end.&quot;

Atletico coach Diego Simeone said: &quot;We were playing against the best team in the world. We played as we wanted to, we could have lost this game but we also could have won it.&quot;

SPURNED CHANCES

Earlier at Leganes, Barca striker Suarez reaped the benefits of two weeks rest after being left out of Uruguay&#39;s internationals and pounced from close range to give Barca the lead in the 28th minute, after Leganes goalkeeper Ivan Cuellar failed to hold a shot from Paco Alcacer.

Leganes offered Barca little space going forward and strikers Nordin Amrabat and Alexander Szymanowski both spurned chances to score before the break, the latter being denied by the left hand of an outstretched Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

&quot;Perhaps the result implies we dominated the game more than we actually did,&quot; Barca coach Ernesto Valverde told reporters.

Suarez doubled Ernesto Valverde&#39;s side&#39;s lead on the hour by sliding to send another rebound beyond the hapless Cuellar while Brazilian Paulinho struck his fourth goal of the season.

There was one negative for Barca, however, as defender Gerard Pique picked up a fifth yellow card of the season and is suspended for next week&#39;s top-of-the-table clash at Valencia.

Atletico forward Angel Correa wasted a glorious chance to open the scoring in the first derby at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium when he was through on goal in the third minute, while Toni Kroos missed Real's clearest opportunity.

Real Madrid and Atletico each slipped 10 points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona after an intense Madrid derby finished goalless and the Catalans picked up an 11th victory in 12 games by winning 3-0 at Leganes. Atletico forward Angel Correa wasted a glorious chance to open the scoring in the first derby at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium when he was through on goal in the third minute, while Toni Kroos missed Real's clearest opportunity. Raphael Varane rescued Real by heading away Kevin Gameiro's chipped shot in the second half. At the other end, Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak made two late saves to thwart Cristiano Ronaldo and Kroos as Real finished stronger in the first league derby to finish 0-0 in more than 12 years. Barca striker Luis Suarez snapped a goal drought spanning five games by scoring twice in his side's 3-0 win at Leganes, while substitute Paulinho poked in the third goal in stoppage time. Barca lead the standings on 34 points from 12 games, seven clear of Valencia who visit Espanyol on Sunday, while Real are third on 24, level on points with Atletico in fourth. Sevilla are fifth after coming from behind to beat Celta Vigo 2-1 at home. The intense rivalry between Real and Atletico could be felt throughout the game, with Correa booting a ball at Karim Benzema's face when the French striker was on the floor or when Stefan Savic cynically hauled down Kroos. Towards the end of the first half Lucas Hernandez kicked Sergio Ramos in the face as the captain tried to land a diving header, an incident which could have led to a Real penalty and saw Ramos taken off with a fractured nose. Atletico fans booed Antoine Griezmann off the pitch when he was substituted following a lifeless performance from the France striker, who has not scored for his club since Sept. 27. Real coach Zinedine Zidane said his side deserved more from the game, the fifth occasion in which they have dropped points this season. "Sometimes the ball doesn't want to go in. I can't explain why," he told reporters. "The good thing about tonight is we played well. Of course, we're struggling to score, but we know we will. We need to stay positive, which we are. We need to keep on working because this is football and things change very quickly and I'm sure we'll be fighting for the title until the end." Atletico coach Diego Simeone said: "We were playing against the best team in the world. We played as we wanted to, we could have lost this game but we also could have won it." SPURNED CHANCES Earlier at Leganes, Barca striker Suarez reaped the benefits of two weeks rest after being left out of Uruguay's internationals and pounced from close range to give Barca the lead in the 28th minute, after Leganes goalkeeper Ivan Cuellar failed to hold a shot from Paco Alcacer. Leganes offered Barca little space going forward and strikers Nordin Amrabat and Alexander Szymanowski both spurned chances to score before the break, the latter being denied by the left hand of an outstretched Marc-Andre ter Stegen. "Perhaps the result implies we dominated the game more than we actually did," Barca coach Ernesto Valverde told reporters. Suarez doubled Ernesto Valverde's side's lead on the hour by sliding to send another rebound beyond the hapless Cuellar while Brazilian Paulinho struck his fourth goal of the season. There was one negative for Barca, however, as defender Gerard Pique picked up a fifth yellow card of the season and is suspended for next week's top-of-the-table clash at Valencia.

Football: Suarez inspires Barca, Real and Atletico in derby stalemate

Spain moved Saturday to seize direct control of Catalonia, sacking its police chief a day after the Catalan regional parliament&#39;s independence declaration sent shock waves through Europe.

The firing of Josep Lluis Trapero, the highest-ranking officer of the Mossos d&#39;Esquadra regional police, follows Friday&#39;s dismissal of Catalonia&#39;s president, his deputy, all ministers, and the entire parliament.

Moving to quash what he termed an &quot;escalation of disobedience&quot;, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy called December 21 elections in the region under sweeping powers granted by the Senate in response to Catalan lawmakers voting to declare an independent republic.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/spain-sacks-catalan-government-after-region-declares-independence-23054" target="_blank">Also read:&nbsp;Spain sacks Catalan government after region declares independence</a>

The dismissal of Trapero, seen as an ally of his region&#39;s separatist leaders, was announced in Saturday&#39;s official government gazette.

Madrid accuses Trapero of disobeying court orders to block a banned October 1 independence referendum.

Instead, the ballot was disrupted, violently in some cases, by officers from Spain&#39;s national police and Guardia Civil paramilitary forces.

All eyes this weekend will be on whether Catalonia&#39;s separatist executive, led by Carles Puigdemont, will willingly step aside for caretaker envoys from Madrid.

Spain&#39;s Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria is due to meet later with secretaries of state who will likely take charge of Catalonia&#39;s regional ministries.

Competing rallies 
Tens of thousands celebrated in Barcelona and other Catalan cities after Friday&#39;s independence declaration, which analysts say the region has no legal power to execute.

But anti-secession rallies have been called for the capital, Madrid, on Saturday, and for Barcelona on Sunday.

The move to quash Catalan powers under Article 155 of the Spanish constitution is likely to anger many in a region of some 7.5 million people that enjoyed considerable autonomy, with control over education, healthcare and police.

It is the first time the central government has curtailed autonomy in the region since dictator Francisco Franco&#39;s repressive 1939-75 rule.

Independence supporters have warned they will resist the temporary measure, implemented under a constitutional article devised to rein in rebel regions.

&quot;We won&#39;t cave in to Rajoy&#39;s authoritarianism nor to 155,&quot; the far-left CUP party, an ally of Puigdemont, tweeted on Friday.

A motion to declare Catalonia a &quot;republic&quot; was passed Friday with 70 votes out of 135 in the regional parliament, where pro-secessionists hold sway.

Catalan leaders point to the &quot;Yes&quot; vote in the deeply-divisive October 1 referendum as a mandate for independence, even though less than half of voters took part.

Echoing widely-held fears, Federico Santi, Europe analyst at political risk consultancy Eurasia Group, warned the crisis could become violent, with &quot;more serious clashes between national police and pro-independence activists.&quot;

Speaking after the parliament&#39;s proclamation, Puigdemont urged activists to &quot;maintain the momentum&quot; in a peaceful manner.

- Unwavering support for Spain - 
The Spanish government has received unwavering support from the United States and its allies in the European Union.

The bloc is increasingly wary of nationalistic and secessionist sentiment, particularly after Britain&#39;s dramatic decision last year to leave the bloc.

EU President Donald Tusk insisted Madrid &quot;remains our only interlocutor&quot; in Spain, but urged it to exercise restraint.

&quot;I hope the Spanish government favours force of argument, not argument of force,&quot; he tweeted.

Madrid sacked the region's police chief on Friday

Spain moved Saturday to seize direct control of Catalonia, sacking its police chief a day after the Catalan regional parliament's independence declaration sent shock waves through Europe. The firing of Josep Lluis Trapero, the highest-ranking officer of the Mossos d'Esquadra regional police, follows Friday's dismissal of Catalonia's president, his deputy, all ministers, and the entire parliament. Moving to quash what he termed an "escalation of disobedience", Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy called December 21 elections in the region under sweeping powers granted by the Senate in response to Catalan lawmakers voting to declare an independent republic. Also read: Spain sacks Catalan government after region declares independence The dismissal of Trapero, seen as an ally of his region's separatist leaders, was announced in Saturday's official government gazette. Madrid accuses Trapero of disobeying court orders to block a banned October 1 independence referendum. Instead, the ballot was disrupted, violently in some cases, by officers from Spain's national police and Guardia Civil paramilitary forces. All eyes this weekend will be on whether Catalonia's separatist executive, led by Carles Puigdemont, will willingly step aside for caretaker envoys from Madrid. Spain's Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria is due to meet later with secretaries of state who will likely take charge of Catalonia's regional ministries. Competing rallies Tens of thousands celebrated in Barcelona and other Catalan cities after Friday's independence declaration, which analysts say the region has no legal power to execute. But anti-secession rallies have been called for the capital, Madrid, on Saturday, and for Barcelona on Sunday. The move to quash Catalan powers under Article 155 of the Spanish constitution is likely to anger many in a region of some 7.5 million people that enjoyed considerable autonomy, with control over education, healthcare and police. It is the first time the central government has curtailed autonomy in the region since dictator Francisco Franco's repressive 1939-75 rule. Independence supporters have warned they will resist the temporary measure, implemented under a constitutional article devised to rein in rebel regions. "We won't cave in to Rajoy's authoritarianism nor to 155," the far-left CUP party, an ally of Puigdemont, tweeted on Friday. A motion to declare Catalonia a "republic" was passed Friday with 70 votes out of 135 in the regional parliament, where pro-secessionists hold sway. Catalan leaders point to the "Yes" vote in the deeply-divisive October 1 referendum as a mandate for independence, even though less than half of voters took part. Echoing widely-held fears, Federico Santi, Europe analyst at political risk consultancy Eurasia Group, warned the crisis could become violent, with "more serious clashes between national police and pro-independence activists." Speaking after the parliament's proclamation, Puigdemont urged activists to "maintain the momentum" in a peaceful manner. - Unwavering support for Spain - The Spanish government has received unwavering support from the United States and its allies in the European Union. The bloc is increasingly wary of nationalistic and secessionist sentiment, particularly after Britain's dramatic decision last year to leave the bloc. EU President Donald Tusk insisted Madrid "remains our only interlocutor" in Spain, but urged it to exercise restraint. "I hope the Spanish government favours force of argument, not argument of force," he tweeted.

Spain moves to take control of Catalonia

The Madrid government sacked Catalonia&#39;s president and dismissed its parliament on Friday, hours after the region declared itself an independent nation in Spain&#39;s gravest political crisis since the return of democracy four decades ago.

A new regional election will be held in Catalonia on Dec. 21, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said in a televised address on a day of high drama.

As well as removing Carles Puigdemont as head of the autonomous region, he also fired its police chief and said central government ministries would take over the Catalan administration.

&quot;Spain is living through a sad day,&quot; Rajoy said. &quot;We believe it is urgent to listen to Catalan citizens, to all of them, so that they can decide their future and nobody can act outside the law on their behalf.&quot;

As he spoke, thousands of independence supporters packed the Sant Jaume Square in front of the Catalan regional headquarters in Barcelona, their earlier joyful mood somewhat dampened by Rajoy&#39;s actions.

In a stunning show of defiance of Madrid, the Catalan parliament had voted in the afternoon to make a unilateral declaration of independence.

Despite the emotions and celebrations inside and outside the building, it was a futile gesture as shortly afterwards the Spanish Senate in Madrid approved the imposition of direct rule.

Several European countries, including France and Germany, and the United States also rejected the independence declaration and said they supported Rajoy&#39;s efforts to preserve Spain&#39;s unity.

The crisis has now reached a new and possibly dangerous level as independence supporters have called for a campaign of disobedience. Immediately after news of the vote, Spanish shares and bonds were sold off, reflecting business concern over the turmoil.

Alarm around Europe

Catalonia held an independence referendum on Oct. 1 which was declared illegal by Madrid and marred by heavy-handed national police tactics to stop it.

Although the referendum endorsed independence, it drew only a 43 percent turnout as Catalans who oppose independence largely boycotted it.

The independence push has caused deep resentment around Spain. The chaos has also prompted a flight of business from Catalonia and alarmed European leaders who fear the crisis could fan separatist sentiment around the continent.

Catalonia is one of Spain&#39;s most prosperous regions and already has a high degree of autonomy. But it has a litany of historic grievances, exacerbated during the 1939-1975 Franco dictatorship, when its culture and politics were suppressed.

In Barcelona, Jordi Mercade, a 32-year-old engineer celebrating with friends, said he had mixed feelings about the day&#39;s events.

&quot;It&#39;s a day for history but many of us here also know we are not independent. They have the force. We are proud to having declared independence but we know this is not something definitive.&quot;

It is not certain whether the new election can resolve the crisis, as it could increase the numbers of independence supporters in parliament.

Also unclear is how Rajoy&#39;s other measures will work on the ground, because of the reactions of civil servants and the regional police, know as the Mossos d&#39;Esquadra, who are reported to be divided in their loyalties.

The main secessionist group, the Catalan National Assembly, called on civil servants not to follow orders from the Spanish government and urged them to follow &quot;peaceful resistance&quot;.

&quot;Tensions are likely to rise significantly over the coming days,&quot; Antonio Barroso of Teneo Intelligence said in a note.

&quot;Demonstrators might try to prevent the police from removing Catalan ministers from their offices if the central government decides to do so. This increases the risk of violent clashes with the police.&quot;

Short-lived liberty

A big crowd of independence supporters gathered outside the regional parliament in Barcelona, shouting &quot;Liberty&quot; in Catalan and singing traditional songs as the independence vote went through.

Among them was Monica Sanz, 44, a university lecturer who wore a Catalan flag around her neck.

&quot;We tried all peaceful means. Moderate people have reached this point because it was impossible to make an agreement with Spain,&quot; she said.

The motion, passed after a passionate debate from advocates and opponents of independence, said Catalonia constituted an independent, sovereign and social democratic state.

Lawmakers from members of three national parties - the People&#39;s Party, the Socialists and Ciudadanos - walked out before the vote. Members of the pro-independence parties and the far-left Podemos then voted 70-10 in favour, in a secret ballot aimed at hindering any attempt by Madrid to lay criminal charges on them.

The soon-to-be-sacked Puigdemont left the chamber to shouts of &quot;President!&quot; and mayors who had come from outlying areas brandished their ceremonial batons and sang the Catalan anthem &quot;Els Segadors&quot; (The Reapers).

&quot;Catalonia is and will be a land of freedom. In times of difficulty and in times of celebration. Now more than ever&quot;, Puigdemont said on Twitter.

But within an hour, the upper house of Spain&#39;s parliament in Madrid authorised Rajoy&#39;s government to rule Catalonia directly. Spain&#39;s constitutional court started a review of the vote for prosecutors to decide if its constituted rebellion.

In Brussels, the president of the European Council, Donald Tusk, said the independence vote changed nothing and the EU would only deal with the central government.

Spain&#39;s IBEX fell as much 2.1 percent to a four-day low during the day, 10-year government bond yields hit a day high, and the euro dipped against the dollar on Friday after the Catalan independence declaration. The region contributes about a fifth of Spain&#39;s economy, the fourth-largest in the eurozone.

JP Morgan said that due to the unceratinty, it was lowering its forecast for Spain&#39;s GDP for the last quarter of 2017 and first of 2018 to below the 3.5 per cent seen so far this year.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said a new regional election will be held in Catalonia on December 21

The Madrid government sacked Catalonia's president and dismissed its parliament on Friday, hours after the region declared itself an independent nation in Spain's gravest political crisis since the return of democracy four decades ago. A new regional election will be held in Catalonia on Dec. 21, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said in a televised address on a day of high drama. As well as removing Carles Puigdemont as head of the autonomous region, he also fired its police chief and said central government ministries would take over the Catalan administration. "Spain is living through a sad day," Rajoy said. "We believe it is urgent to listen to Catalan citizens, to all of them, so that they can decide their future and nobody can act outside the law on their behalf." As he spoke, thousands of independence supporters packed the Sant Jaume Square in front of the Catalan regional headquarters in Barcelona, their earlier joyful mood somewhat dampened by Rajoy's actions. In a stunning show of defiance of Madrid, the Catalan parliament had voted in the afternoon to make a unilateral declaration of independence. Despite the emotions and celebrations inside and outside the building, it was a futile gesture as shortly afterwards the Spanish Senate in Madrid approved the imposition of direct rule. Several European countries, including France and Germany, and the United States also rejected the independence declaration and said they supported Rajoy's efforts to preserve Spain's unity. The crisis has now reached a new and possibly dangerous level as independence supporters have called for a campaign of disobedience. Immediately after news of the vote, Spanish shares and bonds were sold off, reflecting business concern over the turmoil. Alarm around Europe Catalonia held an independence referendum on Oct. 1 which was declared illegal by Madrid and marred by heavy-handed national police tactics to stop it. Although the referendum endorsed independence, it drew only a 43 percent turnout as Catalans who oppose independence largely boycotted it. The independence push has caused deep resentment around Spain. The chaos has also prompted a flight of business from Catalonia and alarmed European leaders who fear the crisis could fan separatist sentiment around the continent. Catalonia is one of Spain's most prosperous regions and already has a high degree of autonomy. But it has a litany of historic grievances, exacerbated during the 1939-1975 Franco dictatorship, when its culture and politics were suppressed. In Barcelona, Jordi Mercade, a 32-year-old engineer celebrating with friends, said he had mixed feelings about the day's events. "It's a day for history but many of us here also know we are not independent. They have the force. We are proud to having declared independence but we know this is not something definitive." It is not certain whether the new election can resolve the crisis, as it could increase the numbers of independence supporters in parliament. Also unclear is how Rajoy's other measures will work on the ground, because of the reactions of civil servants and the regional police, know as the Mossos d'Esquadra, who are reported to be divided in their loyalties. The main secessionist group, the Catalan National Assembly, called on civil servants not to follow orders from the Spanish government and urged them to follow "peaceful resistance". "Tensions are likely to rise significantly over the coming days," Antonio Barroso of Teneo Intelligence said in a note. "Demonstrators might try to prevent the police from removing Catalan ministers from their offices if the central government decides to do so. This increases the risk of violent clashes with the police." Short-lived liberty A big crowd of independence supporters gathered outside the regional parliament in Barcelona, shouting "Liberty" in Catalan and singing traditional songs as the independence vote went through. Among them was Monica Sanz, 44, a university lecturer who wore a Catalan flag around her neck. "We tried all peaceful means. Moderate people have reached this point because it was impossible to make an agreement with Spain," she said. The motion, passed after a passionate debate from advocates and opponents of independence, said Catalonia constituted an independent, sovereign and social democratic state. Lawmakers from members of three national parties - the People's Party, the Socialists and Ciudadanos - walked out before the vote. Members of the pro-independence parties and the far-left Podemos then voted 70-10 in favour, in a secret ballot aimed at hindering any attempt by Madrid to lay criminal charges on them. The soon-to-be-sacked Puigdemont left the chamber to shouts of "President!" and mayors who had come from outlying areas brandished their ceremonial batons and sang the Catalan anthem "Els Segadors" (The Reapers). "Catalonia is and will be a land of freedom. In times of difficulty and in times of celebration. Now more than ever", Puigdemont said on Twitter. But within an hour, the upper house of Spain's parliament in Madrid authorised Rajoy's government to rule Catalonia directly. Spain's constitutional court started a review of the vote for prosecutors to decide if its constituted rebellion. In Brussels, the president of the European Council, Donald Tusk, said the independence vote changed nothing and the EU would only deal with the central government. Spain's IBEX fell as much 2.1 percent to a four-day low during the day, 10-year government bond yields hit a day high, and the euro dipped against the dollar on Friday after the Catalan independence declaration. The region contributes about a fifth of Spain's economy, the fourth-largest in the eurozone. JP Morgan said that due to the unceratinty, it was lowering its forecast for Spain's GDP for the last quarter of 2017 and first of 2018 to below the 3.5 per cent seen so far this year.

Spain sacks Catalan government after region declares independence

The Catalan regional parliament has declared independence from Spain even as Madrid readies to take control of the region, AFP reported.

The 70-10 ballot was boycotted only by Opposition MPs, BBC reported.

Catalan separatist parties on Friday filed a resolution in the regional parliament in which they declared independence from Spain, a spokesman for Catalonia&#39;s ruling coalition said earlier.

&quot;We declare Catalonia an independent state in the form of a republic,&quot; reads the start of the proposed resolution crafted by separatist lawmakers, which hold a majority in the regional parliament that may later proceed to a vote, said the &quot;Together for Yes&quot; coalition spokesman.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy vowed&nbsp;to &quot;restore legality&quot; in Catalonia after the regional parliament declared independence.

&quot;I ask all Spaniards to remain calm. The rule of law will restore legality in Catalonia,&quot; he wrote in a Twitter message immediately after the Catalan assembly voted in favour of declaring independence from Spain.

Spanish senators met earlier on Friday to adopt drastic measures to impose direct rule on rebel region which held an unlawful independence referendum on October 1.

The Senate, where Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy&#39;s Popular Party holds a majority, is scheduled to vote on steps to depose Catalonia&#39;s secessionist government before the week is out.

Catalan bank shares fell after the&nbsp; regional parliament declared independence.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy vowed?to 'restore legality' in Catalonia after the regional parliament declared independence

The Catalan regional parliament has declared independence from Spain even as Madrid readies to take control of the region, AFP reported. The 70-10 ballot was boycotted only by Opposition MPs, BBC reported. Catalan separatist parties on Friday filed a resolution in the regional parliament in which they declared independence from Spain, a spokesman for Catalonia's ruling coalition said earlier. "We declare Catalonia an independent state in the form of a republic," reads the start of the proposed resolution crafted by separatist lawmakers, which hold a majority in the regional parliament that may later proceed to a vote, said the "Together for Yes" coalition spokesman. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy vowed to "restore legality" in Catalonia after the regional parliament declared independence. "I ask all Spaniards to remain calm. The rule of law will restore legality in Catalonia," he wrote in a Twitter message immediately after the Catalan assembly voted in favour of declaring independence from Spain. Spanish senators met earlier on Friday to adopt drastic measures to impose direct rule on rebel region which held an unlawful independence referendum on October 1. The Senate, where Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's Popular Party holds a majority, is scheduled to vote on steps to depose Catalonia's secessionist government before the week is out. Catalan bank shares fell after the regional parliament declared independence.

Catalan parliament declares independence from Spain

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Pro-<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ISIS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ISIS</a> media unit Wafa&#39; Foundation continues to threaten 2018 FIFA <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldCup</a>, this time using an image of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LionelMessi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LionelMessi</a> in a prison outfit <a href="https://t.co/isB8RDKYAK">pic.twitter.com/isB8RDKYAK</a>
&mdash; SITE Intel Group (@siteintelgroup) <a href="https://twitter.com/siteintelgroup/status/922863797928329216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 24, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Ahead of the FIFA World Cup to be held in 2018, the Wafa Media Foundation,&nbsp; a pro-ISIS group on Twitter, releases a shocking image to threaten fans and followers of football.

The Islamic State&#39;s mouthpiece used the face of the Argentinian football legend Lionel Messi to convey their ideology. The released poster says &#39;Just Terrorism&#39; and &#39;You are fighting a state that does not have failure in its dictionary&#39;. Also in the poster, Lionel Messi is standing behind the bar with one eye crying blood.

The poster is intended to spread terror among football fans, indicating also that the terror group may carry a terror attack during FIFA World Cup. The other posters released by them contain pictures of rifles and explosives. Last week, Wafa Media Foundation published one photo of a fighter carrying a rifle and a time-bomb with the ISIS black flag in front of a football stadium. The official symbol of the 2018 World Cup finals was also included in the image.

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The poster says, &quot;Oh, enemies of Allah in Russia, I swear that the fire of the mujahideen will burn them, just wait,&quot;. (Twitter)
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Politics has always been part of all sporting events in the recorded history of humankind. When Indian football clubs played with their British counterpart, it was very much a display of nationalist sentiment. In more recent times, every cricket match between India and Pakistan was an extension of the political tension that exists between the two nation. Winning a match has become more than a sporting event, it has come to signify, unfortunately, the superiority of one nation over the other. Political permeation of sports is not limited to the subcontinent; every football match played between and English and Wales football club show the domineering influence of politics, often sidelining the sporting spirit.

For repressive minority groups, sports events have often served as a tool to convey their sufferings to the rest of the world. For instance, recently, American football player Colin Kaepernick initiated a protest against New York police brutality. The NFL players either took a knee during the national anthem before a game or stand with arms locked in silent protest. This bold move started as a result of repeated videos showing police shooting and killing unarmed black men.

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NFL protest (Others)
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Racism has time again inspired players to protest. In the 1968 Olympics, 200m gold and bronze medalist Tommie Smith and John Carlos respectively took up a public stance against racism. They stood with their heads bowed and raising a black-gloved hand as the American National Anthem played during the victory ceremony.

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Tommie Smith and John Carlos (Others)
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But, terrorism in sports is something that has caused global concern and condemnation. The threat of terrorism has become a major threat to all major sporting events as causing a debacle there, the terrorists understand well enough, would have global repercussions. Sporting events, such as the Olympics, football tournaments and cricket matches have been targeted, some of them had a larger impact such as the 1972 Olympics in Munich.&nbsp;

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The Palestine Liberation Organization terrorist at 1972 Munich Olympics. (Others)
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At the Munich Olympics, eleven Israeli Olympic team members were taken as the hostage and eventually killed, along with a German police officer, by the Palestinian terrorist group Black September. The attack was motivated by the desire to release members of the Palestine Liberation Organization held in captivity in Israeli prisons. German neo-Nazis gave logistical help to the commander of the terrorist group, Luttif Afif in carrying out the brutal attack.&nbsp;

The Boston Marathon of 2013 witnessed another bloody chapter in global sports history; two bombs were detonated near the finishing line, leaving three people dead and more than 260 injured. These attacks will always be considered as dark chapters in the history of sports, and the recent one targeting FIFA World Cup is another chapter added to the books on &#39;sports and terrorism&#39;.

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Double bombings near the finish line of the Boston Marathon killed three people and injured at least 264. (Others)
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Terror threat to FIFA World Cup will definitely influence the football festival. Having millions of followers, the Argentinian star is a legend and is also one of the favourites in the football fraternity. The terrorist, thus, very judiciously picked up the poster boy of the game.&nbsp;

The 2018 FIFA World Cup will be played across 11 cities in Russia from&nbsp;June 14 to July 15, and the final will be played at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

Hence, these continuous terrorist threats raise a serious question as to how the Russian government is going to deal with the security issues during the World Cup. Meanwhile, these threats will remain the main concern for football fans and followers, who are eager to visit Russia to support their favourite teams.

Vulnerable targets, media exposure, and international impact are some of the reasons why terrorists have increasingly started targeting sporting venues.

Pro-#ISIS media unit Wafa' Foundation continues to threaten 2018 FIFA #WorldCup, this time using an image of #LionelMessi in a prison outfit pic.twitter.com/isB8RDKYAK — SITE Intel Group (@siteintelgroup) October 24, 2017 × Ahead of the FIFA World Cup to be held in 2018, the Wafa Media Foundation, a pro-ISIS group on Twitter, releases a shocking image to threaten fans and followers of football. The Islamic State's mouthpiece used the face of the Argentinian football legend Lionel Messi to convey their ideology. The released poster says 'Just Terrorism' and 'You are fighting a state that does not have failure in its dictionary'. Also in the poster, Lionel Messi is standing behind the bar with one eye crying blood. The poster is intended to spread terror among football fans, indicating also that the terror group may carry a terror attack during FIFA World Cup. The other posters released by them contain pictures of rifles and explosives. Last week, Wafa Media Foundation published one photo of a fighter carrying a rifle and a time-bomb with the ISIS black flag in front of a football stadium. The official symbol of the 2018 World Cup finals was also included in the image. The poster says, "Oh, enemies of Allah in Russia, I swear that the fire of the mujahideen will burn them, just wait,". (Twitter) × Politics has always been part of all sporting events in the recorded history of humankind. When Indian football clubs played with their British counterpart, it was very much a display of nationalist sentiment. In more recent times, every cricket match between India and Pakistan was an extension of the political tension that exists between the two nation. Winning a match has become more than a sporting event, it has come to signify, unfortunately, the superiority of one nation over the other. Political permeation of sports is not limited to the subcontinent; every football match played between and English and Wales football club show the domineering influence of politics, often sidelining the sporting spirit. For repressive minority groups, sports events have often served as a tool to convey their sufferings to the rest of the world. For instance, recently, American football player Colin Kaepernick initiated a protest against New York police brutality. The NFL players either took a knee during the national anthem before a game or stand with arms locked in silent protest. This bold move started as a result of repeated videos showing police shooting and killing unarmed black men. NFL protest (Others) × Racism has time again inspired players to protest. In the 1968 Olympics, 200m gold and bronze medalist Tommie Smith and John Carlos respectively took up a public stance against racism. They stood with their heads bowed and raising a black-gloved hand as the American National Anthem played during the victory ceremony. Tommie Smith and John Carlos (Others) × But, terrorism in sports is something that has caused global concern and condemnation. The threat of terrorism has become a major threat to all major sporting events as causing a debacle there, the terrorists understand well enough, would have global repercussions. Sporting events, such as the Olympics, football tournaments and cricket matches have been targeted, some of them had a larger impact such as the 1972 Olympics in Munich. The Palestine Liberation Organization terrorist at 1972 Munich Olympics. (Others) × At the Munich Olympics, eleven Israeli Olympic team members were taken as the hostage and eventually killed, along with a German police officer, by the Palestinian terrorist group Black September. The attack was motivated by the desire to release members of the Palestine Liberation Organization held in captivity in Israeli prisons. German neo-Nazis gave logistical help to the commander of the terrorist group, Luttif Afif in carrying out the brutal attack. The Boston Marathon of 2013 witnessed another bloody chapter in global sports history; two bombs were detonated near the finishing line, leaving three people dead and more than 260 injured. These attacks will always be considered as dark chapters in the history of sports, and the recent one targeting FIFA World Cup is another chapter added to the books on 'sports and terrorism'. Double bombings near the finish line of the Boston Marathon killed three people and injured at least 264. (Others) × Terror threat to FIFA World Cup will definitely influence the football festival. Having millions of followers, the Argentinian star is a legend and is also one of the favourites in the football fraternity. The terrorist, thus, very judiciously picked up the poster boy of the game. The 2018 FIFA World Cup will be played across 11 cities in Russia from June 14 to July 15, and the final will be played at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. Hence, these continuous terrorist threats raise a serious question as to how the Russian government is going to deal with the security issues during the World Cup. Meanwhile, these threats will remain the main concern for football fans and followers, who are eager to visit Russia to support their favourite teams.

Munich to Messi: Why terror haunts sports

Catalonian president Carles Puigdemont is set to call a snap regional election on Dec. 20, local media said on Thursday, a move that could help break a one-month deadlock between the Madrid government and<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/catalonia-stops-short-of-formal-independence-declaration-to-allow-talks-21251"> Catalan separatists seeking independence from Spain</a>.

Barcelona-based La Vanguardia said Puigdemont had taken the decision in a bid to convince the government of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/spain-to-suspend-catalonias-government-call-elections-22701">Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy </a>not to enforce the direct rule in the region.

Puigdemont will deliver an address at 1.30 p.m (1130 GMT), his office said.

Calling an election could either strengthen Puigdemont&#39;s mandate if pro-independence parties won, or allow him a graceful exit if they did not.

But it could also heighten divisions within the secessionist camp and bring the current campaign to a halt.

Cracks appeared late on Wednesday in the secessionist coalition as members backed a vote while others said there was no alternative to independence.

An opinion poll published by the El Periodico newspaper on Sunday showed a snap election would probably have results similar to the last ballot, in 2015, when a coalition of pro-independence parties formed a minority government.

Barcelona-based La Vanguardia said Puigdemont had taken the decision in a bid to convince the government of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy not to enforce the direct rule in the region

Catalonian president Carles Puigdemont is set to call a snap regional election on Dec. 20, local media said on Thursday, a move that could help break a one-month deadlock between the Madrid government and Catalan separatists seeking independence from Spain. Barcelona-based La Vanguardia said Puigdemont had taken the decision in a bid to convince the government of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy not to enforce the direct rule in the region. Puigdemont will deliver an address at 1.30 p.m (1130 GMT), his office said. Calling an election could either strengthen Puigdemont's mandate if pro-independence parties won, or allow him a graceful exit if they did not. But it could also heighten divisions within the secessionist camp and bring the current campaign to a halt. Cracks appeared late on Wednesday in the secessionist coalition as members backed a vote while others said there was no alternative to independence. An opinion poll published by the El Periodico newspaper on Sunday showed a snap election would probably have results similar to the last ballot, in 2015, when a coalition of pro-independence parties formed a minority government.

Catalan head Puigdemont set to call regional election: Media

Secessionist leaders in Catalonia may call a snap election in an attempt to break the deadlock with Madrid over independence, a senior local politician said on Tuesday, but Spanish authorities made clear that would not be enough.

Spain says it will impose direct rule on Catalonia from Friday to prevent an illegal push for independence, invoking unprecedented powers to dismiss the regional government. The Madrid government said an election would not change those plans.

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The Catalan parliament meets on Thursday to agree on a response to Madrid, and many analysts believe the economically powerful region could formally declare independence.

Secessionists in Catalonia say their independence referendum on Oct. 1 - which attracted a 43 percent turnout and was mostly boycotted by Catalans who want to remain in Spain - has given them a mandate for statehood.

Catalonia said on Monday it was confident that its officials, including the police, would defy attempts by Madrid to enforce direct rule.

Spanish political and business leaders, along with most Catalonian newspapers, have urged Catalan President Carles Puigdemont to call a regional election before he is stripped of his authority.

They say direct rule from Madrid would be a humiliation for Catalonia and pose a serious risk of unrest.

Puigdemont has so far remained silent on the matter of an election but an ally of his pro-independence government said he was actively considering this option.

&quot;We have evidence this is currently on the table,&quot; Carles Riera, a Catalan lawmaker for the anti-capitalist CUP party, told a news conference.

Calling an election would be a face-saving move for Puigdemont as it could either strengthen his mandate if pro-independence parties won or allow him a graceful exit if they did not.

Debate?&nbsp;

The Spanish government said a snap election would be a first step but Puigdemont would also have to withdraw an ambiguous declaration of independence he made earlier this month.

The government had moved to cancel Catalonia&#39;s autonomous status because it believed there had been a &quot;serious failure&quot; by Puigdemont to meet his obligations, Justice Minister Rafael Catala said in a radio interview.

&quot;Everything is not fixed just by calling an election.&quot;

Catala said that if Puigdemont appeared before the Spanish Senate, it would help attempts to find a solution to the crisis.

A top official in the Senate said that if Puigdemont decided to appear before the house, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy would likely come to the chamber as well so that a proper debate could be organised between the two.

The Madrid government has so far refused to meet the Catalan leader until he drops his call for independence and Catala said any appearance by Puigdemont had to be within a legal and constitutional framework.

&quot;If his appearance is within the constitution and the law we&#39;ll be delighted ... But if it&#39;s just to ratify his position on Catalonia&#39;s independence, sadly we will not be able to do anything else than continuing with the measures already set by the government,&quot; Catala said.

The political uncertainty has taken its toll on Spain&#39;s wealthiest region, with hundreds of companies moving their headquarters out of Catalonia.

Volkswagen&#39;s Spanish unit SEAT, one of the biggest employers in the region, said it would move its registered office if it felt there was no longer legal security in Catalonia, although it had so far not made a decision.

&quot;Relocating the registered office would respond to the need to seek legal protection, and would make sense the moment we felt it was no longer afforded in the territory where we are located,&quot; SEAT Executive Committee Chairman Luca de Meo said in a letter to the company&#39;s more than 14,000 employees in the region.

The snap election would be an attempt to break the deadlock with Madrid over independence

Secessionist leaders in Catalonia may call a snap election in an attempt to break the deadlock with Madrid over independence, a senior local politician said on Tuesday, but Spanish authorities made clear that would not be enough. Spain says it will impose direct rule on Catalonia from Friday to prevent an illegal push for independence, invoking unprecedented powers to dismiss the regional government. The Madrid government said an election would not change those plans. Catalan President Carles Puigdemont has so far remained silent on the matter of an election × The Catalan parliament meets on Thursday to agree on a response to Madrid, and many analysts believe the economically powerful region could formally declare independence. Secessionists in Catalonia say their independence referendum on Oct. 1 - which attracted a 43 percent turnout and was mostly boycotted by Catalans who want to remain in Spain - has given them a mandate for statehood. Catalonia said on Monday it was confident that its officials, including the police, would defy attempts by Madrid to enforce direct rule. Spanish political and business leaders, along with most Catalonian newspapers, have urged Catalan President Carles Puigdemont to call a regional election before he is stripped of his authority. They say direct rule from Madrid would be a humiliation for Catalonia and pose a serious risk of unrest. Puigdemont has so far remained silent on the matter of an election but an ally of his pro-independence government said he was actively considering this option. "We have evidence this is currently on the table," Carles Riera, a Catalan lawmaker for the anti-capitalist CUP party, told a news conference. Calling an election would be a face-saving move for Puigdemont as it could either strengthen his mandate if pro-independence parties won or allow him a graceful exit if they did not. Debate? The Spanish government said a snap election would be a first step but Puigdemont would also have to withdraw an ambiguous declaration of independence he made earlier this month. The government had moved to cancel Catalonia's autonomous status because it believed there had been a "serious failure" by Puigdemont to meet his obligations, Justice Minister Rafael Catala said in a radio interview. "Everything is not fixed just by calling an election." Catala said that if Puigdemont appeared before the Spanish Senate, it would help attempts to find a solution to the crisis. A top official in the Senate said that if Puigdemont decided to appear before the house, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy would likely come to the chamber as well so that a proper debate could be organised between the two. The Madrid government has so far refused to meet the Catalan leader until he drops his call for independence and Catala said any appearance by Puigdemont had to be within a legal and constitutional framework. "If his appearance is within the constitution and the law we'll be delighted ... But if it's just to ratify his position on Catalonia's independence, sadly we will not be able to do anything else than continuing with the measures already set by the government," Catala said. The political uncertainty has taken its toll on Spain's wealthiest region, with hundreds of companies moving their headquarters out of Catalonia. Volkswagen's Spanish unit SEAT, one of the biggest employers in the region, said it would move its registered office if it felt there was no longer legal security in Catalonia, although it had so far not made a decision. "Relocating the registered office would respond to the need to seek legal protection, and would make sense the moment we felt it was no longer afforded in the territory where we are located," SEAT Executive Committee Chairman Luca de Meo said in a letter to the company's more than 14,000 employees in the region.

Catalan secessionists mull snap election

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu faces the club&#39;s members at an annual general meeting&nbsp;on Saturday&nbsp;fighting an increasingly difficult <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/spanish-government-meets-to-impose-direct-rule-on-catalonia-22695" target="_blank">battle to balance the conflicting interests of fans in favour of Catalan independence</a> and millions of supporters in the rest of Spain and around the world.

A powerful symbol of Catalonia, Barca have been caught in the political crossfire since an independence referendum for the wealthy northeastern region of Spain, deemed illegal by the central government in Madrid, was marred by violent clashes as police forced their way into polling stations to seize ballot boxes on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/catalonia-38-hurt-in-crackdown-on-independence-vote-police-fire-rubber-bullets-in-barcelona-20877" target="_blank">October 1.</a>

That&nbsp;Sunday&nbsp;afternoon, in conjunction with Barca&#39;s star-studded squad and after La Liga refused to postpone a match against Las Palmas at the club&#39;s iconic Camp Nou stadium, Bartomeu&#39;s board took the divisive decision to play behind closed doors as a protest.

Two board members subsequently resigned over the decision to go ahead with the game.

&quot;Our position is very clear, we want dialogue,&quot; Bartomeu reiterated after&nbsp;Wednesday&#39;s&nbsp;Champions League win over Olympiakos as a standoff between the Catalan and Spanish governments continues.

<a href="http://Critical point reached in Catalonia: Spanish Prime Minister" target="_blank">Also read -- Critical point reached in Catalonia: Spanish Prime Minister</a>

The club has backed Catalonia&#39;s right to self-determination in a referendum, but has never supported either side of the independence debate.

Barca unfurled a near 2,500 metre squared banner displaying the message &quot;Dialogue, Respect, Sport&quot; before kick-off&nbsp;on Wednesday.

However, that didn&#39;t go far enough for many just a day after two civil society leaders of the pro-independence campaign were jailed on charges of sedition.

The Catalan National Assembly (ANC) and Omnium Cultural groups led by Jordi Sanchez and Jordi Cuixart were invited to the directors&#39; box at the Camp Nou in midweek, but both refused the invitation.

&quot;We believe that the message of FC Barcelona doesn&#39;t represent the feeling of the majority of the fanbase,&quot; the ANC said in a statement.

Both groups had produced a banner calling for Sanchez and Cuixart&#39;s freedom that Barca prevented from entering the stadium for fear of reprisals from UEFA, who sanction any displays of a political nature and have previously fined the club for the flying of pro-separatist flags.

&#39;Never pleases anyone&#39;

Yet, with a 150,000 strong membership and 103 million Facebook followers, there are plenty Barca fans who would like the club to concentrate on points, not politics.

&quot;The club should always be an example of respect to a plurality of opinion among its members, who it is owned by, leaving politics to one side,&quot; various Barca supporters&#39; clubs in the northern Spanish region of Leon said in a joint statement&nbsp;on Wednesday.

&quot;On political issues, Bartomeu is cursed,&quot; online newspaper El Confidencial wrote&nbsp;on Thursday.

&quot;For some, he goes too far, for others not enough. No matter what he does, he never pleases anyone.&quot;

Bartomeu, therefore, faces a membership&nbsp;on Saturday, 92 percent of whom are resident in Catalonia, faced with an impossible mission.

However, the 54-year-old, a softly spoken businessman is a serial survivor of several club crises.

He assumed the role of president after Sandro Rossell resigned over the murky transfer that brought Neymar to Barcelona in 2013 and when pressured into calling early elections, rode the euphoria of winning a treble to secure a fresh mandate in 2015.

Neymar&#39;s departure to Paris Saint-Germain in August provoked a vote of no confidence from disgruntled members which also failed to garner sufficient support to succeed.

The Brazilian has so far not been missed as Barca lead La Liga and their Champions League group with a stunning record of 10 wins and one draw from their opening 11 games in all competitions.

And one of the primary orders of business&nbsp;on Saturday&nbsp;will be to pass a budget for the new season backed by a record revenue of 897 million euros ($1.06 billion).

Finances may ultimately be the tipping point for how Barca position themselves.

La Liga president Javier Tebas admitted this week the league&#39;s booming TV rights contracts would lose at least 20 percent of their value should Barca be cut adrift in an independent state.

And the financial repercussions for Barca would be even more severe.

&quot;They wouldn&#39;t be able to have world-leading figures,&quot; Jose Maria Gay de Liebana, professor of economics at Barcelona University, told AFP of a squad currently boasting the likes of five-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi.

&quot;They would become a medium-sized club.&quot;

The club is fighting an increasingly difficult battle to balance the conflicting interests of fans in favour of Catalan independence and millions of supporters in the rest of Spain and around the world

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu faces the club's members at an annual general meeting on Saturday fighting an increasingly difficult battle to balance the conflicting interests of fans in favour of Catalan independence and millions of supporters in the rest of Spain and around the world. A powerful symbol of Catalonia, Barca have been caught in the political crossfire since an independence referendum for the wealthy northeastern region of Spain, deemed illegal by the central government in Madrid, was marred by violent clashes as police forced their way into polling stations to seize ballot boxes on October 1. That Sunday afternoon, in conjunction with Barca's star-studded squad and after La Liga refused to postpone a match against Las Palmas at the club's iconic Camp Nou stadium, Bartomeu's board took the divisive decision to play behind closed doors as a protest. Two board members subsequently resigned over the decision to go ahead with the game. "Our position is very clear, we want dialogue," Bartomeu reiterated after Wednesday's Champions League win over Olympiakos as a standoff between the Catalan and Spanish governments continues. Also read -- Critical point reached in Catalonia: Spanish Prime Minister The club has backed Catalonia's right to self-determination in a referendum, but has never supported either side of the independence debate. Barca unfurled a near 2,500 metre squared banner displaying the message "Dialogue, Respect, Sport" before kick-off on Wednesday. However, that didn't go far enough for many just a day after two civil society leaders of the pro-independence campaign were jailed on charges of sedition. The Catalan National Assembly (ANC) and Omnium Cultural groups led by Jordi Sanchez and Jordi Cuixart were invited to the directors' box at the Camp Nou in midweek, but both refused the invitation. "We believe that the message of FC Barcelona doesn't represent the feeling of the majority of the fanbase," the ANC said in a statement. Both groups had produced a banner calling for Sanchez and Cuixart's freedom that Barca prevented from entering the stadium for fear of reprisals from UEFA, who sanction any displays of a political nature and have previously fined the club for the flying of pro-separatist flags. 'Never pleases anyone' Yet, with a 150,000 strong membership and 103 million Facebook followers, there are plenty Barca fans who would like the club to concentrate on points, not politics. "The club should always be an example of respect to a plurality of opinion among its members, who it is owned by, leaving politics to one side," various Barca supporters' clubs in the northern Spanish region of Leon said in a joint statement on Wednesday. "On political issues, Bartomeu is cursed," online newspaper El Confidencial wrote on Thursday. "For some, he goes too far, for others not enough. No matter what he does, he never pleases anyone." Bartomeu, therefore, faces a membership on Saturday, 92 percent of whom are resident in Catalonia, faced with an impossible mission. However, the 54-year-old, a softly spoken businessman is a serial survivor of several club crises. He assumed the role of president after Sandro Rossell resigned over the murky transfer that brought Neymar to Barcelona in 2013 and when pressured into calling early elections, rode the euphoria of winning a treble to secure a fresh mandate in 2015. Neymar's departure to Paris Saint-Germain in August provoked a vote of no confidence from disgruntled members which also failed to garner sufficient support to succeed. The Brazilian has so far not been missed as Barca lead La Liga and their Champions League group with a stunning record of 10 wins and one draw from their opening 11 games in all competitions. And one of the primary orders of business on Saturday will be to pass a budget for the new season backed by a record revenue of 897 million euros ($1.06 billion). Finances may ultimately be the tipping point for how Barca position themselves. La Liga president Javier Tebas admitted this week the league's booming TV rights contracts would lose at least 20 percent of their value should Barca be cut adrift in an independent state. And the financial repercussions for Barca would be even more severe. "They wouldn't be able to have world-leading figures," Jose Maria Gay de Liebana, professor of economics at Barcelona University, told AFP of a squad currently boasting the likes of five-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi. "They would become a medium-sized club."

Catalan crisis leaves Barca between rock and hard place

The Spanish cabinet was meeting on Saturday to decide how it will impose direct rule on Catalonia and thwart a drive by the autonomous region to breakaway from Spain.

It will be the first time in Spain&#39;s four decades of democracy that the central government has invoked the constitutional right to take control of a region and rule it directly from Madrid.

Independence supporters were due to rally in the Catalan capital Barcelona on Saturday afternoon.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy insists that Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont, who heads the wealthy northeastern region&#39;s government, has broken the law several times in pushing for independence, thus justifying the imposition of central government control.

In an internal explanatory memorandum obtained by Reuters, the government said its objective was to restore the law, make sure the regional institutions were neutral, and to guarantee public services and economic activity as well as preserve the civil rights of all citizens.

&quot;The rulers of Catalonia have respected neither the law on which is based our democracy nor the general interest,&quot; the government said.

&quot;This situation is unsustainable...and needs to be dealt with through the activation of the powers that the Article 155 of the constitution gives to the government,&quot; it said.

Direct rule would be temporary and could range from dismissing the regional government to a softer approach of removing heads of specific departments.

The exact measures must be agreed and voted upon in Spain&#39;s upper house, the Senate, and Rajoy wants the broadest consensus possible.

The main opposition Socialists said on Friday they would back special measures and had agreed on the holding of regional elections in January.

The government declined to confirm this, saying only that regional elections were likely and the details would be announced on Saturday.

&#39;Unacceptable secession attempt&#39;

Rajoy received the backing of the head of state, King Felipe, on Friday, who said at a public ceremony that &quot;Catalonia is and will remain an essential part&quot; of Spain.

&quot;Spain needs to face up to an unacceptable secession attempt on its national territory, which it will resolve through its legitimate democratic institutions,&quot; said the king, a ceremonial figure who had criticised Catalan leaders earlier this month.

The independence push has brought on Spain&#39;s worst political crisis since a failed military coup in 1981 several years after the end of the Franco dictatorship. It has met with strong opposition across the rest of Spain, divided Catalonia itself, and raised the prospect of prolonged street protests

It has also led Madrid to cut economic growth forecasts and prompted hundreds of firms to move their headquarters from Catalonia. Spain has the euro zone&#39;s fourth-largest economy and Catalonia accounts for a fifth of it.

Pro-independence groups have mustered more than one million people onto the streets in protest at Madrid&#39;s refusal to negotiate a solution. Heavy-handed police tactics to shut down a an independence referendum on Oct. 1 that the government had declared illegal drew criticism from human rights groups.

Regional authorities said about 90 percent of those who cast ballots voted for independence. But only 43 percent of voters participated and opponents of secession mostly stayed home.

Puigdemont stopped short of making a unilateral declaration of independence following the referendum, but on Thursday he threatened to do so unless the government agreed to a dialogue. He accused Madrid of &quot;repression&quot;.

Activist organisations ANC and Omnium have called on their supporters to rally at 1500 GMT in Barcelona, the region&#39;s principal city, in protest at the jailing of their leaders over sedition accusations.

Should direct rule be imposed, it will be the first time in four decades of democracy that Madrid has invoked the constitutional right to take control of a region and rule it directly from Madrid

The Spanish cabinet was meeting on Saturday to decide how it will impose direct rule on Catalonia and thwart a drive by the autonomous region to breakaway from Spain. It will be the first time in Spain's four decades of democracy that the central government has invoked the constitutional right to take control of a region and rule it directly from Madrid. Independence supporters were due to rally in the Catalan capital Barcelona on Saturday afternoon. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy insists that Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont, who heads the wealthy northeastern region's government, has broken the law several times in pushing for independence, thus justifying the imposition of central government control. In an internal explanatory memorandum obtained by Reuters, the government said its objective was to restore the law, make sure the regional institutions were neutral, and to guarantee public services and economic activity as well as preserve the civil rights of all citizens. "The rulers of Catalonia have respected neither the law on which is based our democracy nor the general interest," the government said. "This situation is unsustainable...and needs to be dealt with through the activation of the powers that the Article 155 of the constitution gives to the government," it said. Direct rule would be temporary and could range from dismissing the regional government to a softer approach of removing heads of specific departments. The exact measures must be agreed and voted upon in Spain's upper house, the Senate, and Rajoy wants the broadest consensus possible. The main opposition Socialists said on Friday they would back special measures and had agreed on the holding of regional elections in January. The government declined to confirm this, saying only that regional elections were likely and the details would be announced on Saturday. 'Unacceptable secession attempt' Rajoy received the backing of the head of state, King Felipe, on Friday, who said at a public ceremony that "Catalonia is and will remain an essential part" of Spain. "Spain needs to face up to an unacceptable secession attempt on its national territory, which it will resolve through its legitimate democratic institutions," said the king, a ceremonial figure who had criticised Catalan leaders earlier this month. The independence push has brought on Spain's worst political crisis since a failed military coup in 1981 several years after the end of the Franco dictatorship. It has met with strong opposition across the rest of Spain, divided Catalonia itself, and raised the prospect of prolonged street protests It has also led Madrid to cut economic growth forecasts and prompted hundreds of firms to move their headquarters from Catalonia. Spain has the euro zone's fourth-largest economy and Catalonia accounts for a fifth of it. Pro-independence groups have mustered more than one million people onto the streets in protest at Madrid's refusal to negotiate a solution. Heavy-handed police tactics to shut down a an independence referendum on Oct. 1 that the government had declared illegal drew criticism from human rights groups. Regional authorities said about 90 percent of those who cast ballots voted for independence. But only 43 percent of voters participated and opponents of secession mostly stayed home. Puigdemont stopped short of making a unilateral declaration of independence following the referendum, but on Thursday he threatened to do so unless the government agreed to a dialogue. He accused Madrid of "repression". Activist organisations ANC and Omnium have called on their supporters to rally at 1500 GMT in Barcelona, the region's principal city, in protest at the jailing of their leaders over sedition accusations.

Spanish government meets to impose direct rule on Catalonia

Spain will on Saturday take unprecedented steps to seize powers from Catalonia&#39;s separatist government after Madrid won powerful backing from the king and the EU in its battle to keep the country together.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy will meet with his cabinet at 10.00 am (0800 GMT) to set out specific powers it plans to take away from the wealthy northeast region, which currently enjoys wide autonomy including control over its own policing, education and healthcare.

The measures -- which take the country into uncharted legal waters -- come after Spain&#39;s King Felipe VI on Friday blasted what he said was an &quot;unacceptable secession attempt&quot; and said the crisis sparked by the region&#39;s banned October 1 independence referendum must be resolved &quot;through legitimate democratic institutions&quot;.

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&quot;We do not want to give up that which we have built together,&quot; he pleaded.

Madrid enjoys constitutional powers to wrest back control of rebellious regions in one of the Western world&#39;s most decentralised nations, but it has never used them.

Autonomy is a hugely sensitive issue in semi-autonomous Catalonia, which saw its powers taken away under Spain&#39;s military dictatorship. Home to 7.5 million people, the region fiercely defends its own language and culture.

&#39;Critical point&#39; 
There are fears of unrest if Madrid seeks to impose direct rule of any kind, and Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont has said such a move could push regional lawmakers to declare unilateral independence.

But Rajoy said Friday that Spain had reached a &quot;critical point&quot; after weeks of political limbo and that his government had to act to stop the rule of law being &quot;liquidated&quot;.

Rajoy is likely to announce plans to take control of Catalonia&#39;s 16,000-strong police force, the Mossos d&#39;Esquadra, whose leader Josep Lluis Trapero could face up to 15 years in jail on sedition charges for failing to contain separatist protests ahead of the referendum.

Madrid could also seek to force new elections -- its preferred solution to Spain&#39;s most protracted political crisis since it returned to democracy in 1977 -- as early as January.

Rajoy is due to hold a press conference early Saturday afternoon to announce his plans, which must pass through the Senate where his conservative Popular Party holds a majority -- a process that would take about a week.

Speaking on Friday night at the Princess of Asturias Awards -- Spain&#39;s answer to the Nobels -- King Felipe described Catalonia as &quot;an essential part of 21st century Spain&quot;.

&#39;Hellish mess&#39; 
EU leaders, who were at the ceremony to collect a prize for encouraging harmony in Europe, used their acceptance speeches to demand respect for the law in words that offered implicit backing to Madrid.

&quot;Some are sowing discord by deliberately ignoring law,&quot; Tajani said at the awards night in the northern city of Oviedo.

He added pointedly: &quot;All too often in the past the prospect of redrawing borders has been presented as a heavenly panacea that has resulted in a hellish mess.&quot;

As tensions continue to run high, independence supporters are set to rally in Barcelona Saturday evening calling for the release of Jordi Cuixart and Jordi Sanchez, the leaders of two powerful grassroots separatist groups who have been in jail since Monday pending investigation into sedition charges.

Puigdemont says he has a mandate to declare independence after the referendum, which his administration says resulted in a 90 percent Yes vote.

But turnout was given as only 43 percent as many Catalans who back unity stayed away from the banned vote.

Accounting for about a fifth of Spain&#39;s economic output, Catalonia is evenly split over whether to break away from Spain, according to polls.

Supporters say the wealthy region does too much to prop up the rest of the national economy and would thrive if it went its own way, but opponents say Catalonia is stronger as part of Spain and that a split would spell economic and political disaster.

Nearly 1,200 companies that have shifted their registered domiciles to other parts of Spain since the referendum, hoping to minimise instability.

Madrid this week cut its national growth forecast for next year from 2.6 percent to 2.3 percent, saying the standoff was creating uncertainty.

Catalonia currently enjoys a wide degree of autonomy, including control over its policing, education, and healthcare

Spain will on Saturday take unprecedented steps to seize powers from Catalonia's separatist government after Madrid won powerful backing from the king and the EU in its battle to keep the country together. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy will meet with his cabinet at 10.00 am (0800 GMT) to set out specific powers it plans to take away from the wealthy northeast region, which currently enjoys wide autonomy including control over its own policing, education and healthcare. The measures -- which take the country into uncharted legal waters -- come after Spain's King Felipe VI on Friday blasted what he said was an "unacceptable secession attempt" and said the crisis sparked by the region's banned October 1 independence referendum must be resolved "through legitimate democratic institutions". Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy will meet with his cabinet at 0800 GMT to set out specific powers it plans to take away from the wealthy northeast region × "We do not want to give up that which we have built together," he pleaded. Madrid enjoys constitutional powers to wrest back control of rebellious regions in one of the Western world's most decentralised nations, but it has never used them. Autonomy is a hugely sensitive issue in semi-autonomous Catalonia, which saw its powers taken away under Spain's military dictatorship. Home to 7.5 million people, the region fiercely defends its own language and culture. 'Critical point' There are fears of unrest if Madrid seeks to impose direct rule of any kind, and Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont has said such a move could push regional lawmakers to declare unilateral independence. But Rajoy said Friday that Spain had reached a "critical point" after weeks of political limbo and that his government had to act to stop the rule of law being "liquidated". Rajoy is likely to announce plans to take control of Catalonia's 16,000-strong police force, the Mossos d'Esquadra, whose leader Josep Lluis Trapero could face up to 15 years in jail on sedition charges for failing to contain separatist protests ahead of the referendum. Madrid could also seek to force new elections -- its preferred solution to Spain's most protracted political crisis since it returned to democracy in 1977 -- as early as January. Rajoy is due to hold a press conference early Saturday afternoon to announce his plans, which must pass through the Senate where his conservative Popular Party holds a majority -- a process that would take about a week. Speaking on Friday night at the Princess of Asturias Awards -- Spain's answer to the Nobels -- King Felipe described Catalonia as "an essential part of 21st century Spain". 'Hellish mess' EU leaders, who were at the ceremony to collect a prize for encouraging harmony in Europe, used their acceptance speeches to demand respect for the law in words that offered implicit backing to Madrid. "Some are sowing discord by deliberately ignoring law," Tajani said at the awards night in the northern city of Oviedo. He added pointedly: "All too often in the past the prospect of redrawing borders has been presented as a heavenly panacea that has resulted in a hellish mess." As tensions continue to run high, independence supporters are set to rally in Barcelona Saturday evening calling for the release of Jordi Cuixart and Jordi Sanchez, the leaders of two powerful grassroots separatist groups who have been in jail since Monday pending investigation into sedition charges. Puigdemont says he has a mandate to declare independence after the referendum, which his administration says resulted in a 90 percent Yes vote. But turnout was given as only 43 percent as many Catalans who back unity stayed away from the banned vote. Accounting for about a fifth of Spain's economic output, Catalonia is evenly split over whether to break away from Spain, according to polls. Supporters say the wealthy region does too much to prop up the rest of the national economy and would thrive if it went its own way, but opponents say Catalonia is stronger as part of Spain and that a split would spell economic and political disaster. Nearly 1,200 companies that have shifted their registered domiciles to other parts of Spain since the referendum, hoping to minimise instability. Madrid this week cut its national growth forecast for next year from 2.6 percent to 2.3 percent, saying the standoff was creating uncertainty.

Spain expected to take back powers from Catalonia

Lionel Messi scored his 100th goal in European competition as Barcelona moved close to qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages by outclassing Olympiakos 3-1 on Wednesday despite playing the second half with 10 men.

Gerard Pique was sent off two minutes before halftime for two bookings, one for tugging an opponent&#39;s shirt and the other for slapping the ball into the net, but Barca were barely threatened by a hapless Olympiakos side who are badly under-performing in their Greek title defence.

The Athens club, who won three league titles and two domestic Cups under current Barca coach Ernesto Valverde, are fifth in the standings in the Greek top flight and have lost all their games in the Champions League.

Barca took the lead in the 18th minute at a rainswept and sparsely attended Nou Camp when visiting defender Dimitrios Nikolaou turned Gerard Deulofeu&#39;s cross into his own net.

It was the fifth own goal Barca have benefited from this season in all competitions.

Messi struck his landmark goal in Europe from a free kick in the 61st minute to double Barca&#39;s lead. It was his 97th goal in the Champions League. His other three came in the UEFA Super Cup.

&quot;I hope he can get to 200 by the end of this season,&quot; joked Valverde after the Argentine took his tally to 15 goals in all competitions less than two months into the campaign.

&quot;His numbers validate what we see from him every day. He is constantly breaking down barriers.&quot;

Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu also paid tribute to Messi.

&quot;I would give him every prize in the world, he has been the best player of all time for many years now,&quot; he said.

&quot;He has made this era sublime. We see him as the leader of our team, he contributes so much and we all never tire of enjoying him.&quot;

Messi then carved his way through the hapless visiting defence moments later to tee up France left back Lucas Digne to score his first goal in the Champions League for Barca.

Greek defender Nikolaou, 19, scored for a second time but first for his side when he headed home from a corner to give Olympiakos a scantly-deserved consolation goal in the 89th minute.

The unbeaten Barca top Champions League Group D with nine points. A win at Olympiakos in two weeks will seal their place in the last 16.

&quot;We are feeling very good in the league and Champions League and we have to keep going like this,&quot; Barca&#39;s Sergi Roberto told reporters after his side recorded a 10th victory in 11 games.

&quot;We are frustrated to have conceded a goal although by then the game was almost over.&quot;

Messi struck his landmark goal in Europe from a free kick in the 61st minute to double Barca's lead. It was his 97th goal in the Champions League. His other three came in the UEFA Super Cup. "I

Lionel Messi scored his 100th goal in European competition as Barcelona moved close to qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages by outclassing Olympiakos 3-1 on Wednesday despite playing the second half with 10 men. Gerard Pique was sent off two minutes before halftime for two bookings, one for tugging an opponent's shirt and the other for slapping the ball into the net, but Barca were barely threatened by a hapless Olympiakos side who are badly under-performing in their Greek title defence. The Athens club, who won three league titles and two domestic Cups under current Barca coach Ernesto Valverde, are fifth in the standings in the Greek top flight and have lost all their games in the Champions League. Barca took the lead in the 18th minute at a rainswept and sparsely attended Nou Camp when visiting defender Dimitrios Nikolaou turned Gerard Deulofeu's cross into his own net. It was the fifth own goal Barca have benefited from this season in all competitions. Messi struck his landmark goal in Europe from a free kick in the 61st minute to double Barca's lead. It was his 97th goal in the Champions League. His other three came in the UEFA Super Cup. "I hope he can get to 200 by the end of this season," joked Valverde after the Argentine took his tally to 15 goals in all competitions less than two months into the campaign. "His numbers validate what we see from him every day. He is constantly breaking down barriers." Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu also paid tribute to Messi. "I would give him every prize in the world, he has been the best player of all time for many years now," he said. "He has made this era sublime. We see him as the leader of our team, he contributes so much and we all never tire of enjoying him." Messi then carved his way through the hapless visiting defence moments later to tee up France left back Lucas Digne to score his first goal in the Champions League for Barca. Greek defender Nikolaou, 19, scored for a second time but first for his side when he headed home from a corner to give Olympiakos a scantly-deserved consolation goal in the 89th minute. The unbeaten Barca top Champions League Group D with nine points. A win at Olympiakos in two weeks will seal their place in the last 16. "We are feeling very good in the league and Champions League and we have to keep going like this," Barca's Sergi Roberto told reporters after his side recorded a 10th victory in 11 games. "We are frustrated to have conceded a goal although by then the game was almost over."

Champions League: Messi joins 100-goal club as Barcelona beat Olympiakos

Spain&#39;s government will take control of Catalonia and rule it directly if Catalan&nbsp;leader<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/independence-decision-day-looms-for-catalan-leader-22482">&nbsp;Carles Puigdemont</a> does not&nbsp;drop&nbsp;a bid to split the region from&nbsp;Spain&nbsp;by Thursday at 1000 a.m. (0800 GMT),&nbsp;deputy&nbsp;Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria said.

&quot;Mr Puigdemont still has the opportunity to start resolving this situation, he&nbsp;must&nbsp;answer &#39;yes&#39; or &#39;no&#39; to the declaration (of&nbsp;independence),&quot; Saenz de Santamaria said.

Madrid had given Puigdemont until Monday 10:00 a.m. (0800 GMT) to clarify his position on independence&nbsp;with a &quot;Yes&quot; or &quot;No&quot;, but the&nbsp;Catalan&nbsp;leader&nbsp;did not directly answer the question.

Saenz de Santamaria said, "Mr Puigdemont still has the opportunity to start resolving this situation, he?must?answer 'yes' or 'no' to the declaration (of?independence)"

Spain's government will take control of Catalonia and rule it directly if Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont does not drop a bid to split the region from Spain by Thursday at 1000 a.m. (0800 GMT), deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria said. "Mr Puigdemont still has the opportunity to start resolving this situation, he must answer 'yes' or 'no' to the declaration (of independence)," Saenz de Santamaria said. Madrid had given Puigdemont until Monday 10:00 a.m. (0800 GMT) to clarify his position on independence with a "Yes" or "No", but the Catalan leader did not directly answer the question.

Catalan leader must drop independence by Thursday: Spain Deputy PM

Catalonia&#39;s separatist leader Carles Puigdemont on Monday told the central government he wanted to &quot;suspend&quot; initiating steps towards independence for two months to start talks with Madrid.

His comments came as the deadline set by Madrid to clarify his intentions for the Spanish region came to a close.

Puigdemont last week made an ambiguous announcement, saying he accepted the mandate for &quot;Catalonia to become an independent state&quot; following a banned referendum, in which separatist leaders say 90 per cent opted to split from Spain -- even if more than half of eligible voters stayed home.

But he immediately suspended that declaration pending talks with Madrid.

In a letter to Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Monday, Puigdemont wrote that his &quot;suspension of the political mandate given by the polls on October 1 demonstrates our firm will to find a solution and not confrontation.&quot;

He added that &quot;for the next two months, our main objective is to bring you to dialogue.&quot;

But he did not clarify whether or not he had declared independence last week.

Madrid has previously said it refuses to negotiate on Catalan independence and has threatened to take drastic measures like suspending the region&#39;s autonomy if Puigdemont presses ahead with independence.

Carles Puigdemont told the central government he wanted to 'suspend' initiating steps towards independence for two months to start talks with Madrid

Catalonia's separatist leader Carles Puigdemont on Monday told the central government he wanted to "suspend" initiating steps towards independence for two months to start talks with Madrid. His comments came as the deadline set by Madrid to clarify his intentions for the Spanish region came to a close. Puigdemont last week made an ambiguous announcement, saying he accepted the mandate for "Catalonia to become an independent state" following a banned referendum, in which separatist leaders say 90 per cent opted to split from Spain -- even if more than half of eligible voters stayed home. But he immediately suspended that declaration pending talks with Madrid. In a letter to Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Monday, Puigdemont wrote that his "suspension of the political mandate given by the polls on October 1 demonstrates our firm will to find a solution and not confrontation." He added that "for the next two months, our main objective is to bring you to dialogue." But he did not clarify whether or not he had declared independence last week. Madrid has previously said it refuses to negotiate on Catalan independence and has threatened to take drastic measures like suspending the region's autonomy if Puigdemont presses ahead with independence.

Catalan leader seeks two-month reprieve for talks with Spain

Spain today gave Catalonia&#39;s separatist leader until next week to clarify whether he intends to push ahead with independence, warning that Madrid would take control of the region if it insisted on breaking away.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has vowed to do everything in his power to prevent Catalan secession following a banned referendum in the region, which remains deeply divided over independence.

He held an emergency cabinet meeting after Catalonia&#39;s president Carles Puigdemont announced yesterday that he had accepted the mandate for &quot;Catalonia to become an independent state.&quot;

Rajoy told lawmakers in Madrid he was giving Puigdemont until Monday to decide if he really wanted to take the path of independence.

&quot;It is very important that Puigdemont clarify for the rest of Spaniards if he declared independence yesterday or not,&quot; he said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/catalonia-stops-short-of-formal-independence-declaration-to-allow-talks-21251" target="_blank">Also read: Catalan leaders sign independence declaration but put it on hold</a>

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/catalan-leader-threatens-independence-after-winning-90-of-independence-vote-20881" target="_blank">Also read: Catalan leader threatens independence after winning 90% of vote</a>

Rajoy said if Puigdemont did push ahead with secession, the central government would give him until October 19 to reconsider, before suspending Catalonia&#39;s regional autonomy.

The deadline sets the clock ticking on Spain&#39;s most serious political emergency since its return to democracy four decades ago.

World leaders are watching closely and uncertainty over the fate of the region of 7.5 million people has damaged business confidence, with several listed firms already moving their legal headquarters to Madrid.

Puigdemont said the referendum had given him a mandate for independence but immediately asked regional lawmakers to suspend the declaration to allow for negotiations with the central government.

Rajoy has said he will not negotiate on anything until the separatists abandon their independence drive, and rejected calls for mediation in the crisis.

&quot;There is no mediation possible between democratic law and disobedience, illegality,&quot; he told parliament today.

Rajoy today triggered constitution article 155, which allows Madrid to impose control over its devolved regions -- an unprecedented move many fear could lead to unrest.

The article provides a warning period for any region attempting to leave Spain.

The leader of the opposition Socialist Party, Pedro Sanchez, backed Rajoy&#39;s demand for clarification in order to &quot;get out of the swamp&quot;.

While separatist leaders say 90 percent of voters opted to split from Spain in the October plebiscite, less than half of the region&#39;s eligible voters actually turned out.

The drive to break Catalonia away from Spain has raised concern for stability in a European Union still coming to terms with Britain&#39;s shock decision to leave the bloc.

The EU today urged &quot;full respect of the Spanish constitutional order&quot;.

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said any unilateral independence move would be &quot;irresponsible&quot; and France said it would not recognise Catalonia&#39;s &quot;illegal&quot; bid for statehood.

Crowds of thousands gathered outside the parliament building in Barcelona yesterday ahead of Puigdemont&#39;s speech, waving Catalan flags and banners and screaming &quot;democracy&quot; in the hope of witnessing history in the making. (AFP)

Madrid warns the region that it will take control if it insists on breaking away

Spain today gave Catalonia's separatist leader until next week to clarify whether he intends to push ahead with independence, warning that Madrid would take control of the region if it insisted on breaking away. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has vowed to do everything in his power to prevent Catalan secession following a banned referendum in the region, which remains deeply divided over independence. He held an emergency cabinet meeting after Catalonia's president Carles Puigdemont announced yesterday that he had accepted the mandate for "Catalonia to become an independent state." Rajoy told lawmakers in Madrid he was giving Puigdemont until Monday to decide if he really wanted to take the path of independence. "It is very important that Puigdemont clarify for the rest of Spaniards if he declared independence yesterday or not," he said. Also read: Catalan leaders sign independence declaration but put it on hold Also read: Catalan leader threatens independence after winning 90% of vote Rajoy said if Puigdemont did push ahead with secession, the central government would give him until October 19 to reconsider, before suspending Catalonia's regional autonomy. The deadline sets the clock ticking on Spain's most serious political emergency since its return to democracy four decades ago. World leaders are watching closely and uncertainty over the fate of the region of 7.5 million people has damaged business confidence, with several listed firms already moving their legal headquarters to Madrid. Puigdemont said the referendum had given him a mandate for independence but immediately asked regional lawmakers to suspend the declaration to allow for negotiations with the central government. Rajoy has said he will not negotiate on anything until the separatists abandon their independence drive, and rejected calls for mediation in the crisis. "There is no mediation possible between democratic law and disobedience, illegality," he told parliament today. Rajoy today triggered constitution article 155, which allows Madrid to impose control over its devolved regions -- an unprecedented move many fear could lead to unrest. The article provides a warning period for any region attempting to leave Spain. The leader of the opposition Socialist Party, Pedro Sanchez, backed Rajoy's demand for clarification in order to "get out of the swamp". While separatist leaders say 90 percent of voters opted to split from Spain in the October plebiscite, less than half of the region's eligible voters actually turned out. The drive to break Catalonia away from Spain has raised concern for stability in a European Union still coming to terms with Britain's shock decision to leave the bloc. The EU today urged "full respect of the Spanish constitutional order". German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said any unilateral independence move would be "irresponsible" and France said it would not recognise Catalonia's "illegal" bid for statehood. Crowds of thousands gathered outside the parliament building in Barcelona yesterday ahead of Puigdemont's speech, waving Catalan flags and banners and screaming "democracy" in the hope of witnessing history in the making. (AFP)

Clarify intentions by next week, Spain tells Catalan President

Calls for &ldquo;independence&rdquo; have been increasingly heard on the streets of Barcelona in recent days. Those powerful emotions can drive people to extremes, which in some cases include killing and dying. Yet for the high price often paid, independence movements are rarely successful and their outcomes are usually less than hoped for.

Catalonia&rsquo;s recent vote for independence provoked&nbsp;a heavy-handed response from the government in Madrid. This has, in almost textbook style, conversely increased support for independence.

The Spanish government&rsquo;s response was wrong if the intention was to secure Catalonia&rsquo;s loyalty, but perhaps the right response if the intention was to shore up falling nationalist support elsewhere.

Independence movements commonly start with a small number of idealists, yet quickly grow when central governments respond with repression. In such circumstances, the desire for &ldquo;freedom&rdquo; takes root and flourishes. So the first responses of central governments to secessionist movements are critical to their outcome.

There are currently well over 100 secessionist movements, including four in the Philippines, dozens in India, around eight in Myanmar, and several dozen in Africa. Many of these have produced bloodshed and trauma well in excess of possible practical gains. Yet, despite their numbers, very few secessionist movements are ultimately successful, while the costs for governments imposing a nominal unity can be high for all involved.

With high risks and limited chances of success, secessionist movements are rarely about pragmatism and more about fervour. Even with popular support, these movements rarely have the political or military capacity to impose their will on the state from which they intend to secede.

Such limited examples&nbsp;of secessionist success that there are have relied on either external intervention &ndash; such as Bangladesh and Kosovo &ndash; or agreement by a weakened parent state, such as Eritrea and South Sudan. Timor-Leste achieved independence on the back of both factors.

Having overcome daunting odds of achieving independence, the success of post-secessionist states has, on balance, been poor. Bangladesh has struggled between periods of incapable civilian government, military coups and a state of emergency. Since independence in 1991, Eritrea has been an authoritarian one-party state with no political activity allowed.

Kosovo has been marked by divisive ethnic politics, while South Sudan has been wracked by ethnopolitical fighting since independence in 2011. Timor-Leste is a successful democracy, yet survived intact only due to international intervention ending civil conflict in 2006.

Of the world&rsquo;s separatist movements, the most recent and notable, next to Catalonia, is Kurdistan. A&nbsp;Kurdish state would have a potentially sound oil-based economy and a very capable military.

Yet even an independent Kurdistan would require access to trade routes to export oil. This is currently blocked by its parent state, Iraq, and suspicion or hostility from neighbouring Turkey, Syria and Iran. Kurdistan may continue to pursue independence, but it would likely have a more viable economic future as an autonomous state in a federated Iraq.

Even when successful, the cost of independence can be high. It can bring destructive wars, lack of economic activity and independence leaders failing to translate as wise politicians and capable administrators. The skills needed to win independence are not those required to rebuild and run a successful state.

So the record of successful secessionist movements is, overall, poor. The rhetoric of freedom and reward is more usually reflected in little of either.

Catalonia is luckier than most, having an experienced set of politicians and administrators. It also has, for now at least, an intact infrastructure and a vibrant economy. Its chances of success, should Madrid let it go, would be better than most.

Yet what is now more practically needed in Catalonia, and for most other secessionist movements, is a relatively high level of regional autonomy. Loosening the ties that bind can ease tensions and make states more stable, if in federated or similar form, rather than being tightly controlled and therefore presented.

Spanish President Mariano Rajoy&rsquo;s threat to revoke Catalonia&rsquo;s autonomy is, therefore, precisely the wrong response for a leader wishing to quell secessionist demands. It was, after all, Spain&rsquo;s Constitutional Court&rsquo;s decision to restrict Catalonia&rsquo;s existing autonomy that sparked the present calls for independence.

Spain&rsquo;s governing People&rsquo;s Party may strengthen its faltering support base by appealing to a wider nationalist sentiment in favour of state unity and imposing control over Catalonia. But imposed control will likely prompt further and more deeply entrenched separatist sentiment.

Given their vast differences, the fate of the handful of successful separatist movements cannot be used as indicators of an independent Catalonia&rsquo;s future. But the drivers of separatism and impediments to achieving independence are shared.

Catalonia has been at the forefront of Spain&rsquo;s domestic battles, and it could be that the current push for independence will spark another. Should it come to this, the cost of such conflict would exceed any possible benefits, for both Catalonia and for Spain.

<img alt="The Conversation" height="1" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/85097/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" width="1" />The question, then, is how Spain&rsquo;s national government and the Catalan independence movement can step back from a showdown. Failure to do so may mean the consequences become irretrievable.

This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" nofollow="" rel="">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/passion-and-pain-why-secessionist-movements-rarely-succeed-85097" nofollow="" rel="">original article</a>.

The skills needed to win independence are not those required to rebuild and run a successful state.

Calls for “independence” have been increasingly heard on the streets of Barcelona in recent days. Those powerful emotions can drive people to extremes, which in some cases include killing and dying. Yet for the high price often paid, independence movements are rarely successful and their outcomes are usually less than hoped for. Catalonia’s recent vote for independence provoked a heavy-handed response from the government in Madrid. This has, in almost textbook style, conversely increased support for independence. The Spanish government’s response was wrong if the intention was to secure Catalonia’s loyalty, but perhaps the right response if the intention was to shore up falling nationalist support elsewhere. Independence movements commonly start with a small number of idealists, yet quickly grow when central governments respond with repression. In such circumstances, the desire for “freedom” takes root and flourishes. So the first responses of central governments to secessionist movements are critical to their outcome. There are currently well over 100 secessionist movements, including four in the Philippines, dozens in India, around eight in Myanmar, and several dozen in Africa. Many of these have produced bloodshed and trauma well in excess of possible practical gains. Yet, despite their numbers, very few secessionist movements are ultimately successful, while the costs for governments imposing a nominal unity can be high for all involved. With high risks and limited chances of success, secessionist movements are rarely about pragmatism and more about fervour. Even with popular support, these movements rarely have the political or military capacity to impose their will on the state from which they intend to secede. Such limited examples of secessionist success that there are have relied on either external intervention – such as Bangladesh and Kosovo – or agreement by a weakened parent state, such as Eritrea and South Sudan. Timor-Leste achieved independence on the back of both factors. Having overcome daunting odds of achieving independence, the success of post-secessionist states has, on balance, been poor. Bangladesh has struggled between periods of incapable civilian government, military coups and a state of emergency. Since independence in 1991, Eritrea has been an authoritarian one-party state with no political activity allowed. Kosovo has been marked by divisive ethnic politics, while South Sudan has been wracked by ethnopolitical fighting since independence in 2011. Timor-Leste is a successful democracy, yet survived intact only due to international intervention ending civil conflict in 2006. Of the world’s separatist movements, the most recent and notable, next to Catalonia, is Kurdistan. A Kurdish state would have a potentially sound oil-based economy and a very capable military. Yet even an independent Kurdistan would require access to trade routes to export oil. This is currently blocked by its parent state, Iraq, and suspicion or hostility from neighbouring Turkey, Syria and Iran. Kurdistan may continue to pursue independence, but it would likely have a more viable economic future as an autonomous state in a federated Iraq. Even when successful, the cost of independence can be high. It can bring destructive wars, lack of economic activity and independence leaders failing to translate as wise politicians and capable administrators. The skills needed to win independence are not those required to rebuild and run a successful state. So the record of successful secessionist movements is, overall, poor. The rhetoric of freedom and reward is more usually reflected in little of either. Catalonia is luckier than most, having an experienced set of politicians and administrators. It also has, for now at least, an intact infrastructure and a vibrant economy. Its chances of success, should Madrid let it go, would be better than most. Yet what is now more practically needed in Catalonia, and for most other secessionist movements, is a relatively high level of regional autonomy. Loosening the ties that bind can ease tensions and make states more stable, if in federated or similar form, rather than being tightly controlled and therefore presented. Spanish President Mariano Rajoy’s threat to revoke Catalonia’s autonomy is, therefore, precisely the wrong response for a leader wishing to quell secessionist demands. It was, after all, Spain’s Constitutional Court’s decision to restrict Catalonia’s existing autonomy that sparked the present calls for independence. Spain’s governing People’s Party may strengthen its faltering support base by appealing to a wider nationalist sentiment in favour of state unity and imposing control over Catalonia. But imposed control will likely prompt further and more deeply entrenched separatist sentiment. Given their vast differences, the fate of the handful of successful separatist movements cannot be used as indicators of an independent Catalonia’s future. But the drivers of separatism and impediments to achieving independence are shared. Catalonia has been at the forefront of Spain’s domestic battles, and it could be that the current push for independence will spark another. Should it come to this, the cost of such conflict would exceed any possible benefits, for both Catalonia and for Spain. The question, then, is how Spain’s national government and the Catalan independence movement can step back from a showdown. Failure to do so may mean the consequences become irretrievable. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

Catalonia: Secessionist movements rarely succeed

Catalonia&#39;s police chief appeared in court in Madrid&nbsp;on Friday&nbsp;to answer accusations of sedition over his handling of unrest last month sparked by the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/catalan-president-vows-region-will-declare-independence-within-days-21006" target="_blank"> region&#39;s contested independence drive</a>.

An investigating judge summoned Josep Lluis Trapero along with three other suspects, a move that escalated tensions between the regional and national governments.

Catalan leaders have threatened to declare independence in defiance of the national government and courts, after pushing ahead with a banned referendum on the issue last Sunday.

The independence dispute has laid bare a rift between Catalonia&#39;s regional police and national security forces deployed to the region.

Trapero&#39;s force was accused of failing to rein in pro-independence protesters during recent unrest in the northeastern region.

The accusations refer to unrest in Barcelona on September 20 and 21 after national security forces raided regional government offices in a crackdown against the independence drive.

Trapero arrived at Madrid&#39;s National Court&nbsp;on Friday&nbsp;flanked by two fellow officers and made no comment to waiting reporters, an AFP reporter saw.

Two other defendants also arrived to answer the same charge, the leaders of Catalonia&#39;s two most prominent pro-independence civil groups, Jordi Cuixart of Omnium Cultural and Jordi Sanchez of the Catalan National Assembly (ANC)

They were greeted outside the court by a cheering crowd of politicians from allied parties.

Contested referendum&nbsp;

A small group of about eight anti-independence protesters also demonstrated outside the court yelling &quot;Catalonia is Spain,&quot; before police made them leave.

A fourth defendant, senior Catalan police official Teresa Laplana, was due to appear before the judge by video link for health reasons, court officials said.

Tensions between Catalonia and the national government have plunged Spain into its worst political crisis in decades.

Announcing the summons&nbsp;on Wednesday, the court said the four suspects were accused of &quot;a crime of sedition... in relation to the gatherings and demonstrations carried out to forcibly prevent the authorities and their officers from performing their duties.&quot;

The crime of sedition is punishable by up to 15 years in prison if committed by a member of the authorities, under Spain&#39;s penal code.

In the September demonstrations called by Omnium and ANC, protesters damaged Civil Guard police vehicles and stopped officers from leaving the building they were searching.

Police prevented the defendants&#39; supporters from entering the court building with them&nbsp;on Friday.

One Catalan lawmaker defiantly waved at police a voting paper from last Sunday&#39;s contested independence referendum.

That vote was banned by Madrid and marred by violence by national police against voters.

National security forces beat unarmed voters as officers shut down some polling stations.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/several-hundred-thousand-catalans-rally-against-occupation-forces-20963" target="_blank">Several hundred thousand Catalans rally against &#39;occupation forces&#39;</a>

An investigating judge summoned Josep Lluis Trapero along with three other suspects, a move that escalated tensions between the regional and national governments

Catalonia's police chief appeared in court in Madrid on Friday to answer accusations of sedition over his handling of unrest last month sparked by the region's contested independence drive. An investigating judge summoned Josep Lluis Trapero along with three other suspects, a move that escalated tensions between the regional and national governments. Catalan leaders have threatened to declare independence in defiance of the national government and courts, after pushing ahead with a banned referendum on the issue last Sunday. The independence dispute has laid bare a rift between Catalonia's regional police and national security forces deployed to the region. Trapero's force was accused of failing to rein in pro-independence protesters during recent unrest in the northeastern region. The accusations refer to unrest in Barcelona on September 20 and 21 after national security forces raided regional government offices in a crackdown against the independence drive. Trapero arrived at Madrid's National Court on Friday flanked by two fellow officers and made no comment to waiting reporters, an AFP reporter saw. Two other defendants also arrived to answer the same charge, the leaders of Catalonia's two most prominent pro-independence civil groups, Jordi Cuixart of Omnium Cultural and Jordi Sanchez of the Catalan National Assembly (ANC) They were greeted outside the court by a cheering crowd of politicians from allied parties. Contested referendum A small group of about eight anti-independence protesters also demonstrated outside the court yelling "Catalonia is Spain," before police made them leave. A fourth defendant, senior Catalan police official Teresa Laplana, was due to appear before the judge by video link for health reasons, court officials said. Tensions between Catalonia and the national government have plunged Spain into its worst political crisis in decades. Announcing the summons on Wednesday, the court said the four suspects were accused of "a crime of sedition... in relation to the gatherings and demonstrations carried out to forcibly prevent the authorities and their officers from performing their duties." The crime of sedition is punishable by up to 15 years in prison if committed by a member of the authorities, under Spain's penal code. In the September demonstrations called by Omnium and ANC, protesters damaged Civil Guard police vehicles and stopped officers from leaving the building they were searching. Police prevented the defendants' supporters from entering the court building with them on Friday. One Catalan lawmaker defiantly waved at police a voting paper from last Sunday's contested independence referendum. That vote was banned by Madrid and marred by violence by national police against voters. National security forces beat unarmed voters as officers shut down some polling stations. Also read: Several hundred thousand Catalans rally against 'occupation forces'

Catalan police chief accused of sedition, appears in court

Spain&#39;s Constitutional Court on Thursday ordered the suspension of Monday&#39;s session of the regional Catalan parliament, throwing its plans to declare unilateral independence from Spain into doubt.

There was no immediate reaction from Catalan leaders who held an independence referendum on Sunday that was banned by Madrid and marked by violent scenes at electoral stations where Spanish police sought to hinder voting.

The suspension order further aggravated one of the biggest political crises to hit Spain since the establishment of democracy following the death of General Francisco Franco in 1975. But it helped Spanish markets hit in recent days by the uncertainty.

The court said it had agreed to consider a legal challenge filed by the anti-secessionist Catalan Socialist Party.

Spanish shares and bonds, which have been hit by the political turmoil in Catalonia, strengthened after the news of the Constitutional Court&#39;s decision.

The main IBEX stock index rose 2.3 per cent, on track for its biggest daily gain in a month, and Spain&#39;s 10-year bond yield was set for its biggest daily fall since April.

Spain&#39;s Economy Minister Luis de Guindos told Reuters in an interview the turmoil was damaging Catalonia.

&quot;This is generating uncertainty that is paralysing all investment projects in Catalonia. I&#39;m convinced that, right now, not one international or national investor will take part in a new investment project until this is cleared up,&quot; he said.

Spain&#39;s fifth-largest bank, Sabadell, will consider on Thursday whether to shift its headquarters away from Catalonia in the first major sign that the wealthy region&#39;s push for independence from Spain could scare away big business.

Caixabank, Spain&#39;s third largest lender by market capitalisation, is also considering moving its legal base outside Catalonia, a source with knowledge of the situation said. A spokesman for the bank said no decision had been taken on a move.

Opinion polls conducted before the vote suggested a minority of around 40 percent of residents in Catalonia backed independence. But a majority wanted a referendum to be held, and the violent police crackdown angered Catalans across the divide.

&#39;Greater evils&#39;

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy called on Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont on Thursday to abandon plans to unilaterally declare independence from Spain or risk &quot;greater evils&quot;.

In an interview with Spanish news agency EFE, Rajoy said the solution to the Catalan crisis was a prompt return to legality and &quot;a statement as soon as possible that there will not be a unilateral declaration of independence because that will also avoid greater evils,&quot; Rajoy said.

He did not elaborate but ruling party lawmakers say that Rajoy, a conservative who has taken a hard line on Catalan independence, is considering the unprecedented step of dissolving the Catalan parliament and triggering regional elections.

Catalan officials released preliminary referendum results showing 90 percent support in favour of breaking away. But turnout was only about 43 percent as Catalans who favour remaining part of Spain mainly boycotted the ballot and many polling stations were closed.

Puigdemont said he was not afraid of being arrested for organising Sunday&#39;s banned referendum.

&quot;Personally, I am not afraid of that,&quot; Puigdemont said in an interview in the German daily Bild, published on Thursday, when asked about his possible arrest.

&quot;And I&#39;m not surprised anymore about what the Spanish government is doing. My arrest is also possible, which would be a barbaric step.&quot;

Neither the Spanish government nor the judiciary has threatened to arrest Puigdemont, though Madrid accuses him of breaking the law by ignoring a Constitutional Court ruling forbidding the referendum from going ahead.

On Wednesday, in a televised address, Puigdemont renewed his call for international mediation but said the results of the referendum would have to be applied.

Puigdemont has not explained the scope of his proposal for international mediation, whether it would envisage a compromise short of independence or deal only with divorce arrangements.

Rajoy has ruled out international mediation as a format for resolving the future of Catalonia, offering instead all-party Spanish political talks to find a solution, on the condition independence is taken off the table.

Sunday&#39;s crackdown by Spanish police, Rajoy&#39;s hardline stance and an uncharacteristically strong intervention this week by Spain&#39;s King Felipe VI seems to have deepened Catalonia&#39;s resolve to continue with the project.

&quot;We will go as far as people want it. But without the use of force. We were always a peaceful movement. And I am sure that Spain will not be able to ignore the will of so many people,&quot; Puigdemont told Bild.

Spain's Constitution Court ordered the suspension of Monday's Parliament session

Spain's Constitutional Court on Thursday ordered the suspension of Monday's session of the regional Catalan parliament, throwing its plans to declare unilateral independence from Spain into doubt. There was no immediate reaction from Catalan leaders who held an independence referendum on Sunday that was banned by Madrid and marked by violent scenes at electoral stations where Spanish police sought to hinder voting. The suspension order further aggravated one of the biggest political crises to hit Spain since the establishment of democracy following the death of General Francisco Franco in 1975. But it helped Spanish markets hit in recent days by the uncertainty. The court said it had agreed to consider a legal challenge filed by the anti-secessionist Catalan Socialist Party. Spanish shares and bonds, which have been hit by the political turmoil in Catalonia, strengthened after the news of the Constitutional Court's decision. The main IBEX stock index rose 2.3 per cent, on track for its biggest daily gain in a month, and Spain's 10-year bond yield was set for its biggest daily fall since April. Spain's Economy Minister Luis de Guindos told Reuters in an interview the turmoil was damaging Catalonia. "This is generating uncertainty that is paralysing all investment projects in Catalonia. I'm convinced that, right now, not one international or national investor will take part in a new investment project until this is cleared up," he said. Spain's fifth-largest bank, Sabadell, will consider on Thursday whether to shift its headquarters away from Catalonia in the first major sign that the wealthy region's push for independence from Spain could scare away big business. Caixabank, Spain's third largest lender by market capitalisation, is also considering moving its legal base outside Catalonia, a source with knowledge of the situation said. A spokesman for the bank said no decision had been taken on a move. Opinion polls conducted before the vote suggested a minority of around 40 percent of residents in Catalonia backed independence. But a majority wanted a referendum to be held, and the violent police crackdown angered Catalans across the divide. 'Greater evils' Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy called on Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont on Thursday to abandon plans to unilaterally declare independence from Spain or risk "greater evils". In an interview with Spanish news agency EFE, Rajoy said the solution to the Catalan crisis was a prompt return to legality and "a statement as soon as possible that there will not be a unilateral declaration of independence because that will also avoid greater evils," Rajoy said. He did not elaborate but ruling party lawmakers say that Rajoy, a conservative who has taken a hard line on Catalan independence, is considering the unprecedented step of dissolving the Catalan parliament and triggering regional elections. Catalan officials released preliminary referendum results showing 90 percent support in favour of breaking away. But turnout was only about 43 percent as Catalans who favour remaining part of Spain mainly boycotted the ballot and many polling stations were closed. Puigdemont said he was not afraid of being arrested for organising Sunday's banned referendum. "Personally, I am not afraid of that," Puigdemont said in an interview in the German daily Bild, published on Thursday, when asked about his possible arrest. "And I'm not surprised anymore about what the Spanish government is doing. My arrest is also possible, which would be a barbaric step." Neither the Spanish government nor the judiciary has threatened to arrest Puigdemont, though Madrid accuses him of breaking the law by ignoring a Constitutional Court ruling forbidding the referendum from going ahead. On Wednesday, in a televised address, Puigdemont renewed his call for international mediation but said the results of the referendum would have to be applied. Puigdemont has not explained the scope of his proposal for international mediation, whether it would envisage a compromise short of independence or deal only with divorce arrangements. Rajoy has ruled out international mediation as a format for resolving the future of Catalonia, offering instead all-party Spanish political talks to find a solution, on the condition independence is taken off the table. Sunday's crackdown by Spanish police, Rajoy's hardline stance and an uncharacteristically strong intervention this week by Spain's King Felipe VI seems to have deepened Catalonia's resolve to continue with the project. "We will go as far as people want it. But without the use of force. We were always a peaceful movement. And I am sure that Spain will not be able to ignore the will of so many people," Puigdemont told Bild.

Spanish court suspends Parliament session at which Catalonia was expected to declare independence

Several hundred thousand Catalans rallied Tuesday in fury at police violence against voters during a banned independence referendum, as Madrid accused regional authorities of &quot;inciting rebellion&quot;.

Crowds yelled for national security forces to get out of the region, branding them &quot;occupation forces&quot;, as the national government&#39;s standoff with the region dragged Spain deeper into its worst political crisis since emerging from dictatorship in 1977.

Demonstrators including students and young families filled the streets in the regional capital Barcelona waving red- and yellow-striped Catalan flags.

&quot;Closed for revolution,&quot; read one banner in the crowd.

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Barcelona football club refused to train as part of an accompanying strike, which officials said slowed down public transport and freight shipments in the port of Barcelona.

&quot;On October 1 we became an occupied country, and they still have not left,&quot; said one protester in Barcelona, 56-year-old schoolteacher Antonia Maria Maura, referring to the police sent to prevent Sunday&#39;s vote.

Police besieged 
Pictures of police beating unarmed Catalan voters with batons and dragging some by the hair during Sunday&#39;s ballots drew international criticism.

European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas warned Monday that &quot;violence can never be an instrument in politics&quot;.

But tensions rose further overnight as Catalans defied the Spanish government&#39;s vows to keep Catalonia as one of Spain&#39;s regions.

Protesters besieged Catalan hotels where state security forces were lodged, police groups said.

&quot;They are fleeing from hotel to hotel, they are like rats who have to hide,&quot; said the spokesman for Spain&#39;s main police union SUP, Ramon Cosio.

He warned that the state was losing control of security.

At least one hotel said local authorities had ordered it to ask the police staying there to leave.

- &#39;Inciting rebellion&#39; - 
Spain&#39;s national government and courts have ruled the independence referendum illegal and Madrid blames the Catalan regional authorities for the tensions.

&quot;We see how day after day the government of Catalonia is pushing the population to the abyss and inciting rebellion in the streets,&quot; Spain&#39;s Interior Minister Juan Ignacio Zoido said on Tuesday.

He said his government would take &quot;all measures necessary to stop acts of harassment&quot;.

Tourist sites closed 
Claims for independence for Catalonia date back centuries but have surged during recent years of economic crisis.

A rich industrial region of 7.5 million people that accounts for a fifth of Spain&#39;s economy, it has its own language and cultural traditions.

Catalan pro-separatist trade unions, schools and cultural institutions called Tuesday&#39;s stoppage to &quot;vigorously condemn&quot; the police response to the poll.

Catalan regional leader Carles Puigdemont said nearly 900 people had received medical attention on Sunday, though regional authorities confirmed a total of 92 injured. Four were hospitalised, two in serious condition

Schools and some businesses shut down during &nbsp;Tuesday&#39;s strike. Protesters stood on roads and highways across Catalonia, blocking traffic. On the &nbsp;highway linking Barcelona to France two youths set up a folding table and played chess.

Tourist sites like the city&#39;s emblematic Sagrada Familia Church were closed.

At the city&#39;s Sants train station all shops remained open except for the one run by Barcelona football club, which issued a statement saying both its professional and youth teams would not train on Tuesday.

- Emergency talks - 
The government of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy held emergency talks after Puigdemont declared Sunday that Catalonia had &quot;won the right to an independent state&quot;.&nbsp;

Puigdemont has appealed for international mediation to help solve the crisis.

The regional government said 2.26 million people took part in the poll, or just over 42 percent of the electorate.

But any attempt to unilaterally declare independence is likely to be opposed not just by Madrid but also a large section of the Catalan population, which polls indicate is split on the issue.

Puigdemont has said he will now present the results to the region&#39;s parliament, where separatist lawmakers hold a majority, and which has the power to adopt a motion to declare independence.

&nbsp;

Demonstrators filled the streets in the regional capital Barcelona waving red- and yellow-striped Catalan flags

Several hundred thousand Catalans rallied Tuesday in fury at police violence against voters during a banned independence referendum, as Madrid accused regional authorities of "inciting rebellion". Crowds yelled for national security forces to get out of the region, branding them "occupation forces", as the national government's standoff with the region dragged Spain deeper into its worst political crisis since emerging from dictatorship in 1977. Demonstrators including students and young families filled the streets in the regional capital Barcelona waving red- and yellow-striped Catalan flags. "Closed for revolution," read one banner in the crowd. Barcelona football club refused to train × Barcelona football club refused to train as part of an accompanying strike, which officials said slowed down public transport and freight shipments in the port of Barcelona. "On October 1 we became an occupied country, and they still have not left," said one protester in Barcelona, 56-year-old schoolteacher Antonia Maria Maura, referring to the police sent to prevent Sunday's vote. Police besieged Pictures of police beating unarmed Catalan voters with batons and dragging some by the hair during Sunday's ballots drew international criticism. European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas warned Monday that "violence can never be an instrument in politics". But tensions rose further overnight as Catalans defied the Spanish government's vows to keep Catalonia as one of Spain's regions. Protesters besieged Catalan hotels where state security forces were lodged, police groups said. "They are fleeing from hotel to hotel, they are like rats who have to hide," said the spokesman for Spain's main police union SUP, Ramon Cosio. He warned that the state was losing control of security. At least one hotel said local authorities had ordered it to ask the police staying there to leave. - 'Inciting rebellion' - Spain's national government and courts have ruled the independence referendum illegal and Madrid blames the Catalan regional authorities for the tensions. "We see how day after day the government of Catalonia is pushing the population to the abyss and inciting rebellion in the streets," Spain's Interior Minister Juan Ignacio Zoido said on Tuesday. He said his government would take "all measures necessary to stop acts of harassment". Tourist sites closed Claims for independence for Catalonia date back centuries but have surged during recent years of economic crisis. A rich industrial region of 7.5 million people that accounts for a fifth of Spain's economy, it has its own language and cultural traditions. Catalan pro-separatist trade unions, schools and cultural institutions called Tuesday's stoppage to "vigorously condemn" the police response to the poll. Catalan regional leader Carles Puigdemont said nearly 900 people had received medical attention on Sunday, though regional authorities confirmed a total of 92 injured. Four were hospitalised, two in serious condition Schools and some businesses shut down during Tuesday's strike. Protesters stood on roads and highways across Catalonia, blocking traffic. On the highway linking Barcelona to France two youths set up a folding table and played chess. Tourist sites like the city's emblematic Sagrada Familia Church were closed. At the city's Sants train station all shops remained open except for the one run by Barcelona football club, which issued a statement saying both its professional and youth teams would not train on Tuesday. - Emergency talks - The government of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy held emergency talks after Puigdemont declared Sunday that Catalonia had "won the right to an independent state". Puigdemont has appealed for international mediation to help solve the crisis. The regional government said 2.26 million people took part in the poll, or just over 42 percent of the electorate. But any attempt to unilaterally declare independence is likely to be opposed not just by Madrid but also a large section of the Catalan population, which polls indicate is split on the issue. Puigdemont has said he will now present the results to the region's parliament, where separatist lawmakers hold a majority, and which has the power to adopt a motion to declare independence.

Several hundred thousand Catalans rally against 'occupation forces'

The leader of Catalonia called for international mediation on Monday to resolve a stand-off with Madrid, the day after hundreds were injured as police tried to forcibly disrupt a referendum on independence that had been ruled illegal.

&quot;It is not a domestic matter,&quot; Carles Puigdemont told a news conference on Monday. &quot;It&#39;s obvious that we need mediation.&quot;

Sunday&#39;s events in the autonomous region dramatically raised the temperature in a festering split between Madrid and Barcelona and made it harder for the two sides to sit down to try to find a political compromise.

Images of riot police using rubber bullets and batons in a show of force to stop the vote shocked Spain and drew international condemnation. Authorities said almost 900 people had been injured.

Puigdemont had gone ahead with the referendum in defiance of a court order. On Monday, he said the vote was valid and binding, and had to be applied.

He urged Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to say whether he was in favour of mediation in talks over the region&#39;s future, which he said should be overseen by the European Union.

He added that he had received no indication that the EU could sponsor this mediating role, and said Brussels had been timid and lacked courage on the matter.

In a statement issued shortly before Puigdemont made his proposal, the European Commission said: &quot;We call on all relevant players to now move very swiftly from confrontation to dialogue. Violence can never be an instrument in politics.&quot;

The ballot, which asked voters if they wanted an independent republic, has no legal status as it was banned by Spain&#39;s Constitutional Court for being at odds with the 1978 constitution, which states Spain cannot be broken up.

The overwhelming &quot;Yes&quot; vote among the 42 percent who authorities said had made it to the polls was not a surprise as those favouring continued union had been expected to stay at home en masse. Opinion polls in the run-up to the vote had put support for independence at only around 40 percent.

On Monday, Justice Minister Rafael Catala said Spain could use its constitutional power to suspend Catalan&#39;s existing autonomy if the regional parliament declared independence.

&quot;We will use the entire force of the law. Our obligation is to resolve problems and we&#39;ll do it, even though using certain measures might hurt,&quot; he said in a television interview.

Carles Puigdemont also called for international mediation

The leader of Catalonia called for international mediation on Monday to resolve a stand-off with Madrid, the day after hundreds were injured as police tried to forcibly disrupt a referendum on independence that had been ruled illegal. "It is not a domestic matter," Carles Puigdemont told a news conference on Monday. "It's obvious that we need mediation." Sunday's events in the autonomous region dramatically raised the temperature in a festering split between Madrid and Barcelona and made it harder for the two sides to sit down to try to find a political compromise. Images of riot police using rubber bullets and batons in a show of force to stop the vote shocked Spain and drew international condemnation. Authorities said almost 900 people had been injured. Puigdemont had gone ahead with the referendum in defiance of a court order. On Monday, he said the vote was valid and binding, and had to be applied. He urged Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to say whether he was in favour of mediation in talks over the region's future, which he said should be overseen by the European Union. He added that he had received no indication that the EU could sponsor this mediating role, and said Brussels had been timid and lacked courage on the matter. In a statement issued shortly before Puigdemont made his proposal, the European Commission said: "We call on all relevant players to now move very swiftly from confrontation to dialogue. Violence can never be an instrument in politics." The ballot, which asked voters if they wanted an independent republic, has no legal status as it was banned by Spain's Constitutional Court for being at odds with the 1978 constitution, which states Spain cannot be broken up. The overwhelming "Yes" vote among the 42 percent who authorities said had made it to the polls was not a surprise as those favouring continued union had been expected to stay at home en masse. Opinion polls in the run-up to the vote had put support for independence at only around 40 percent. On Monday, Justice Minister Rafael Catala said Spain could use its constitutional power to suspend Catalan's existing autonomy if the regional parliament declared independence. "We will use the entire force of the law. Our obligation is to resolve problems and we'll do it, even though using certain measures might hurt," he said in a television interview.

Catalan President says independence vote is valid, has to be applied

Spanish police in riot gear seized ballot boxes and surrounded activist-held polling stations in Catalonia Sunday as thousands flooded the streets to vote in an independence referendum banned by Madrid.

As the vote officially opened, scenes of chaos erupted as police began moving in to prevent people from casting their ballots, forcing their way into one sports centre in the town of Girona where the region`s separatist leader was due to vote.&nbsp;

The drama unfolded after a night of tension in which thousands of people, both nervous and excited, had gathered outside polling stations before dawn to vote, with police under orders to prevent the ballot from happening.

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<h5>Votarem, votarem!&#39; -- Catalan for &#39;We will vote!&#39; -- the crowds chanted</h5>
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&quot;Votarem, votarem!&quot; -- Catalan for &quot;We will vote!&quot; -- chanted the crowds, many with their hands in the air.&nbsp;

As the rain poured down in Barcelona, students and activists who had spent the night in schools designated as polling stations gathered outside with locals to &quot;defend&quot; the vote from police as cars drove by honking their horns in support.

Catalan television broadcast footage of crowds in towns and villages all over region, whose separatist government said early Sunday the referendum would go ahead as planned.&nbsp;

Although the region is divided over independence, most people want to vote on the matter in legal, binding plebiscite.

&quot;The government today is in a position to affirm that we can celebrate the referendum of self-determination -- not as we wanted, but (it will have democratic) guarantees,&quot; Catalan government spokesman Jordi Turull told a news conference.But the interior ministry said it had started seizing ballot boxes, adding police were &quot;continuing to deploy in Catalonia&quot; to stop the referendum.

Spain`s central government is staunchly against the vote, which has been ruled unconstitutional by the courts, and has vowed to stop it from taking place.

On orders of judges and prosecutors, police have seized ballot papers, detained key organisers and shut down websites promoting the vote.

But on the streets early Sunday, voters were determined to be heard.

&quot;Today is a historic day for us, it`s terrific,&quot; Maria Rosa Pi-Sunyer Arguimbau, 55, said after a man carrying a ballot box jumped out of a car and ran to the door, depositing it inside as two police officers looked on across the street.

The ballot boxes have been at the centre of attention during the referendum crisis, with many wondering exactly where they were hidden and how they would be delivered to polling stations, as police were ordered to seize any material related to the referendum.

But as people crowded in front of polling stations, they started to arrive, carried in by individuals. It was as yet unclear where they came from.The planned referendum has sown divisions among Catalans and stoked passions further afield in Spain.

Whatever happens, Sunday`s referendum result will not be recognised by Madrid, and almost certainly not by the international community.

But separatist leaders are banking on a high turnout to give legitimacy to their vote.

Spain`s interior ministry said Saturday police had closed most of the 2,315 polling stations across Catalonia.

But dozens were occupied by teachers, parents, students and activists determined to let people in anyway.

Some schools designated as polling stations imagined innovative ways to stay open, organising leisure activities all over the weekend, from kids` pyjama parties to volleyball games.

A regional government source said voting may also take place in other places like health centres and even retirement homes.

Farmers and firefighters have also pledged to protect polling stations.Earlier this week, the Mossos d`Esquadra Catalan police warned about the risk of &quot;disruption of public order&quot; if people were prevented from casting ballots.

Ignacio Sellares, a 56-year-old tax consultant at a polling station in Barcelona said he wasn`t scared.

&quot;Having said that, if police come with weapons and water cannons, I`m getting out of here fast!&quot;.

Madrid has sent thousands of extra police officers from other forces to Catalonia to stop the referendum from happening.

On Saturday, Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont called on those going to vote to maintain a &quot;peaceful attitude&quot;.

That same day, thousands took to the streets across the country -- including in Barcelona -- in favour of national unity.

As well as being critical of Puigdemont, some protesters also faulted Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy`s conservative government for limiting its response to the crisis to repeating that the referendum is unconstitutional.

&quot;The state needs to explain the benefits of remaining united, instead of repeating all the time that the referendum is illegal,&quot; said Rafael Castillo, a 59-year-old engineer at a Madrid rally, wearing a scarf with the Spanish flag around his neck.

Spanish police in riot gear seized ballot boxes and surrounded activist-held polling stations

Spanish police in riot gear seized ballot boxes and surrounded activist-held polling stations in Catalonia Sunday as thousands flooded the streets to vote in an independence referendum banned by Madrid. As the vote officially opened, scenes of chaos erupted as police began moving in to prevent people from casting their ballots, forcing their way into one sports centre in the town of Girona where the region`s separatist leader was due to vote. The drama unfolded after a night of tension in which thousands of people, both nervous and excited, had gathered outside polling stations before dawn to vote, with police under orders to prevent the ballot from happening. Votarem, votarem!' -- Catalan for 'We will vote!' -- the crowds chanted × "Votarem, votarem!" -- Catalan for "We will vote!" -- chanted the crowds, many with their hands in the air. As the rain poured down in Barcelona, students and activists who had spent the night in schools designated as polling stations gathered outside with locals to "defend" the vote from police as cars drove by honking their horns in support. Catalan television broadcast footage of crowds in towns and villages all over region, whose separatist government said early Sunday the referendum would go ahead as planned. Although the region is divided over independence, most people want to vote on the matter in legal, binding plebiscite. "The government today is in a position to affirm that we can celebrate the referendum of self-determination -- not as we wanted, but (it will have democratic) guarantees," Catalan government spokesman Jordi Turull told a news conference.But the interior ministry said it had started seizing ballot boxes, adding police were "continuing to deploy in Catalonia" to stop the referendum. Spain`s central government is staunchly against the vote, which has been ruled unconstitutional by the courts, and has vowed to stop it from taking place. On orders of judges and prosecutors, police have seized ballot papers, detained key organisers and shut down websites promoting the vote. But on the streets early Sunday, voters were determined to be heard. "Today is a historic day for us, it`s terrific," Maria Rosa Pi-Sunyer Arguimbau, 55, said after a man carrying a ballot box jumped out of a car and ran to the door, depositing it inside as two police officers looked on across the street. The ballot boxes have been at the centre of attention during the referendum crisis, with many wondering exactly where they were hidden and how they would be delivered to polling stations, as police were ordered to seize any material related to the referendum. But as people crowded in front of polling stations, they started to arrive, carried in by individuals. It was as yet unclear where they came from.The planned referendum has sown divisions among Catalans and stoked passions further afield in Spain. Whatever happens, Sunday`s referendum result will not be recognised by Madrid, and almost certainly not by the international community. But separatist leaders are banking on a high turnout to give legitimacy to their vote. Spain`s interior ministry said Saturday police had closed most of the 2,315 polling stations across Catalonia. But dozens were occupied by teachers, parents, students and activists determined to let people in anyway. Some schools designated as polling stations imagined innovative ways to stay open, organising leisure activities all over the weekend, from kids` pyjama parties to volleyball games. A regional government source said voting may also take place in other places like health centres and even retirement homes. Farmers and firefighters have also pledged to protect polling stations.Earlier this week, the Mossos d`Esquadra Catalan police warned about the risk of "disruption of public order" if people were prevented from casting ballots. Ignacio Sellares, a 56-year-old tax consultant at a polling station in Barcelona said he wasn`t scared. "Having said that, if police come with weapons and water cannons, I`m getting out of here fast!". Madrid has sent thousands of extra police officers from other forces to Catalonia to stop the referendum from happening. On Saturday, Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont called on those going to vote to maintain a "peaceful attitude". That same day, thousands took to the streets across the country -- including in Barcelona -- in favour of national unity. As well as being critical of Puigdemont, some protesters also faulted Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy`s conservative government for limiting its response to the crisis to repeating that the referendum is unconstitutional. "The state needs to explain the benefits of remaining united, instead of repeating all the time that the referendum is illegal," said Rafael Castillo, a 59-year-old engineer at a Madrid rally, wearing a scarf with the Spanish flag around his neck.

Spain: Police move in as Catalonians begin to vote in independence referendum

Catalan separatists were determined Saturday to press ahead with an independence referendum banned by Madrid, having occupied dozens of schools designated as polling stations to stop police from closing them down.

&quot;In these hugely intense and hugely emotional moments, we sense that what we once thought was only a dream is within reach,&quot; Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont told a crowd of cheering supporters on Friday evening, as he closed his campaign for Sunday`s vote.

Over in the town of L`Hospitalet de Llobregat, though, a different scene played out in a large conference hall.

There, some 2,000 people who oppose separating from Spain rallied at a meeting called by Ciudadanos, Catalonia`s main opposition party.

The vote has stoked passions in the wealthy northeastern region, pitting Catalan leaders against the central government in one of the biggest crises to hit Spain since democracy was restored after the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975.

It has also sown divisions among Catalans themselves, with the region deeply split on independence, even if a large majority want to be allowed to settle the matter in a legal vote.

&quot;There is nothing that justifies violating so basic a right as the right to vote,&quot; Omar Sanchis, a 29-year-old drama student, said from behind the railings of the Collaso i Gil school in Barcelona, which he and others had occupied.

Authorities in Madrid have instructed police to ensure no votes are cast in a referendum that the courts have ruled unconstitutional.

For days, they have been seizing electoral items such as ballot papers while prosecutors have ordered the closure of websites linked to the vote and the detention of key members of the team organising the referendum.

A court on Wednesday ordered police to prevent the use of public buildings &quot;for the preparation and organisation&quot; of the referendum.But those for the vote have mobilised.

On Friday, tractors paraded through Barcelona, some decked with the &quot;Estelada&quot;, the separatists` flag of red-and-yellow stripes with a white star on a blue chevron.

They and firefighters have vowed to protect polling stations.

As classes ended for the day, small groups of activists, including parents with their children, decided to peacefully occupy several schools in Barcelona where voting is scheduled to take place.

The occupations appeared to be partly coordinated by a platform of &quot;schools open for the referendum.&quot;

By midnight, it was still unclear exactly how many schools were occupied, but organisers said dozens had been taken over in Barcelona.

There were believed to be a lot more in the city and around the region, and the occupations were expected to continue throughout the weekend.

Over at the anti-independence rally, though, Dolores Molero, a 53-year-old secretary from Tarragona, a city further south, said the situation was &quot;a dead end&quot;.

&quot;They want to destroy the state, Spain and Catalonia,&quot; she said after a meeting that saw people wave Spanish and EU flags, as well as the &quot;Senyera&quot; -- the official Catalan flag of plain red-and-yellow stripes.Madrid has repeatedly warned those who help stage the referendum that they face repercussions.

On Friday, Spain`s education ministry said in a statement that head teachers in Catalonia &quot;were not exempt from liability&quot; if they cooperated.

But Jordi Sanchez, the president of the Catalan National Assembly, an influential pro-independence organisation, told AFP the court order said public spaces could not be used for the referendum on Sunday &quot;but it did not say anything about leisure activities today and Saturday&quot;.

&quot;We have proposed that citizens organise activities, that they put in place a lot of activities to give life to these spaces which on Sunday should host the referendum.&quot;

Barcelona`s Joan Brossa high school, for instance, advertised a series of activities for Friday and Saturday, including film screenings, football matches and Zumba dance fitness classes.

Catalan government spokesman Jordi Turull said there would be &quot;2,315 polling stations all over the region&quot; for the vote.

But Catalonia`s regional police force, the Mossos d`Esquadra, have warned of the risk of &quot;disruption of public order&quot; if they try to prevent people from casting ballots.

Madrid has sent thousands of extra police officers from other forces to Catalonia -- which accounts for one fifth of Spain`s economy -- to help stop the referendum.

Molero said she was worried about what would happen Sunday.

&quot;We`ll have to be cautious. I won`t go out,&quot; she said.

They have occupied dozens of schools designated as polling stations to stop police from closing them down

Catalan separatists were determined Saturday to press ahead with an independence referendum banned by Madrid, having occupied dozens of schools designated as polling stations to stop police from closing them down. "In these hugely intense and hugely emotional moments, we sense that what we once thought was only a dream is within reach," Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont told a crowd of cheering supporters on Friday evening, as he closed his campaign for Sunday`s vote. Over in the town of L`Hospitalet de Llobregat, though, a different scene played out in a large conference hall. There, some 2,000 people who oppose separating from Spain rallied at a meeting called by Ciudadanos, Catalonia`s main opposition party. The vote has stoked passions in the wealthy northeastern region, pitting Catalan leaders against the central government in one of the biggest crises to hit Spain since democracy was restored after the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975. It has also sown divisions among Catalans themselves, with the region deeply split on independence, even if a large majority want to be allowed to settle the matter in a legal vote. "There is nothing that justifies violating so basic a right as the right to vote," Omar Sanchis, a 29-year-old drama student, said from behind the railings of the Collaso i Gil school in Barcelona, which he and others had occupied. Authorities in Madrid have instructed police to ensure no votes are cast in a referendum that the courts have ruled unconstitutional. For days, they have been seizing electoral items such as ballot papers while prosecutors have ordered the closure of websites linked to the vote and the detention of key members of the team organising the referendum. A court on Wednesday ordered police to prevent the use of public buildings "for the preparation and organisation" of the referendum.But those for the vote have mobilised. On Friday, tractors paraded through Barcelona, some decked with the "Estelada", the separatists` flag of red-and-yellow stripes with a white star on a blue chevron. They and firefighters have vowed to protect polling stations. As classes ended for the day, small groups of activists, including parents with their children, decided to peacefully occupy several schools in Barcelona where voting is scheduled to take place. The occupations appeared to be partly coordinated by a platform of "schools open for the referendum." By midnight, it was still unclear exactly how many schools were occupied, but organisers said dozens had been taken over in Barcelona. There were believed to be a lot more in the city and around the region, and the occupations were expected to continue throughout the weekend. Over at the anti-independence rally, though, Dolores Molero, a 53-year-old secretary from Tarragona, a city further south, said the situation was "a dead end". "They want to destroy the state, Spain and Catalonia," she said after a meeting that saw people wave Spanish and EU flags, as well as the "Senyera" -- the official Catalan flag of plain red-and-yellow stripes.Madrid has repeatedly warned those who help stage the referendum that they face repercussions. On Friday, Spain`s education ministry said in a statement that head teachers in Catalonia "were not exempt from liability" if they cooperated. But Jordi Sanchez, the president of the Catalan National Assembly, an influential pro-independence organisation, told AFP the court order said public spaces could not be used for the referendum on Sunday "but it did not say anything about leisure activities today and Saturday". "We have proposed that citizens organise activities, that they put in place a lot of activities to give life to these spaces which on Sunday should host the referendum." Barcelona`s Joan Brossa high school, for instance, advertised a series of activities for Friday and Saturday, including film screenings, football matches and Zumba dance fitness classes. Catalan government spokesman Jordi Turull said there would be "2,315 polling stations all over the region" for the vote. But Catalonia`s regional police force, the Mossos d`Esquadra, have warned of the risk of "disruption of public order" if they try to prevent people from casting ballots. Madrid has sent thousands of extra police officers from other forces to Catalonia -- which accounts for one fifth of Spain`s economy -- to help stop the referendum. Molero said she was worried about what would happen Sunday. "We`ll have to be cautious. I won`t go out," she said.

Spain: Catalan separatists determined to hold Sunday independence vote

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