Barcelona news live updates
Monday October 2
Pique protests
20:39: Spain fans have voiced their opposition to centre-back Gerard Pique voting for Catalonia to gain independence.
Pique is a vocal supporter of Catalonia seceding from Spain.
He says he will remain faithful to his national side so long as his presence doesn’t cause controversy.
But in an open training session a number of supporters held up signs in protest of him being there.
Wenger on Barca in the Premier League
20:15: Arsene Wenger says Barcelona joining the Premier League would make things “even more difficult for everybody”.
Barcelona could play in England’s top flight if they are kicked out of La Liga, should Catalonia’s efforts for independence be successful.
Wenger was asked about the vote and said: “I’d try to learn Catalan! If Barcelona want to join the Premier League, it makes things even more difficult for everybody.
“But I don’t think they have gotten as far as that.
“It is interesting and there will be incidents on the sporting side as Barcelona are a highly political club.
“I think it will be interesting to see how they respond in the championship. We have enough clubs here with 20 but if you want to go up to 24, we have to invite the Scottish clubs before we go for the Spanish.”
Barcelona players on strike
20:00: Lionel Messi and his Barcelona team-mates will go on strike tomorrow in protest over the violent scenes in Catalonia on Saturday.
Police clashed with voters as they attended polling stations for Catalonia’s controversial independence.
Spain’s government views the vote as illegal but the country has cried out in shock at the violent scenes on Sunday.
Barcelona shut their doors for their 3-0 win over Las Palmas on Sunday in support of a peaceful vote.
And Barca players – including their non-Spanish players such as Messi and Luis Suarez – will join the country in a national strike on Tuesday.
The Nou Camp closed for the day on Monday afternoon.
Premier League hint
19:45: Barcelona could join the Premier League if Catalonian independence means they are expelled from La Liga.
Josep Bartomeu has confirmed Barca would have a choice whether or not to stay in the Spanish top flight if Catalonia seceded from Spain.
“In case of independence, the board, which represents the partners, will assess what to do about it,” Bartomeu confirmed at a public meeting today.
His comments come after Catalonia’s sports minster said the Premier League was an alternative option should La Liga refuse Barca entry.