Catalonia is voting on a controversial independence referendum today.
The Spanish government does not recognise the vote and there have been clashes with police in the streets.
Barcelona wanted to cancel today’s 3.15pm kick off but were blocked from doing so my La Liga.
They were threatened with a six-point penalty and Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu has explained why the decision was made to play the game.
“We deeply regret this lack of freedom of expression that is happening today in Catalonia,” Bartomeu said.
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“We are worried and very sorry. We decided, instead of cancelling the game, which was what we all wanted, to play it but behind closed doors so that everyone can see that today we play a football game but that has nothing to do with normality.
“We have tried to cancel the match all day with all the institutions, especially with the League, but there was no way.
“Before the refusal of the League to stage the game on another day, and the sanction of six points for the team, we talked to everyone, executives, directors, coaching staff and players and we have decided to play the game but to do it behind closed doors so that the disconformity before the world is seen.”
Fans were left waiting until around 30 minutes before kick off before they were turned away at the turnstiles.
“This is not done for safety reasons,” Bartomeu said.
“The security was guaranteed by the police. The game is played behind closed doors for an exceptional reason, but not security.”