UEFA and Barcelona reach a pact regarding Estelada flags being waved
Barcelona agreed to withdraw their appeal against two fines imposed on them, and in return UEFA are considering loosening rules on the issue
UEFA announced on Monday afternoon they ad reached a deal with Barcelona over the controversial theme of Estelada flags being shown at Camp Nou during Champions League game, something that had led to several sanctions being imposed on the club.
Barcelona agreed to withdraw their appeal against two fines imposed on them, and in return UEFA are considering loosening rules which ban the display of flags with political connotations, saying regulations must evolve to respect freedom of expression.
They claimed that punishments would only occur "in circumstances and cases where the majority of reasonable people think that a sanction should be imposed".
Barcelona had appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after being fined 30,000 euros and then 40,000 euros for the Estelada flags being waved - a symbol that demands the independence of Catalonia from Spain.
