Barcelona vs Las Palmas Three for not playing, three as a sanction

The match between Barcelona and Las Palmas ultimately went ahead at the Camp Nou on Sunday, despite the events taking place across Catalonia.

Explaining the decision to go ahead with the match and to play it behind closed doors, club president Josep Maria Bartomeu said that the Blaugrana risked losing six points if they did not play.

"It would have been six points for not playing today," he told Bein Sports.

"Three for not playing and another three as a result of a sanction."

He also spoke at length about his thoughts on the events taking place across the region at polling stations.

"We regret what has happened in Catalonia today," Bartomeu said.

"It is a denying of freedom of expression and we're worried.

"We have decided that instead of cancelling the game, which is what we wanted, it will be played behind closed doors.

"It was a way to show our rejection of what has been experienced today.

"It was not a security issue.

"The Mossos [local police] had given us permission to play.

"We want to show that this match is different because of all that has been happening in Catalonia today and because of the lack of freedom that has been experienced."

Quizzed further on why the match was played behind closed doors, Bartomeu explained that it was the club's decision.

"We're not playing behind closed doors because of security," he stressed.

"We do it for exceptional reasons, not for security.

"We spoke with the authorities and there was no way to move the game to another day, so we decided to play it and to play it behind closed doors so that our lack of comfortability can be seen."

Asked about the resignation of vice-president Carles Villarubi, he said that each member of the board is free to make their own decisions.