Barca fans take UEFA to court

The Confederation of Supporter's Clubs that belong to Barcelona have filed suit against UEFA in a Barcelona court as they feel that their fundamental right, that of freedom of expression, was infringed when the club was fined for the displaying of Catalonian nationalist flags (esteladas).

The confederation's president, Antoni Guil, accompanied by his solicitor Josep Maria Coronas, who was FC Barcelona spokesman at the turn of the century, announced their complaint in the Colegio de Periodistas (Journalists' Association) of Catalonia, which is in line with a similar action taken by the club itself with the Spanish Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS) some days ago.

In the complaint, Josep Maria Coronas argues that the sanction imposed by UEFA "infringes our right to freedom of expression". The Confederation wants the court to recognise the fans' right to display their 'esteladas', thereby ensuring that UEFA leave them alone in the future for such actions.

The complainants have assured that if the TAS decides in Barcelona's favour, they will automatically drop their complaint in the civil courts.