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Barcelona logo
La Liga
Oct 1, 2017 at 3.15pm UK
 
Las Palmas

3-0

Busquets (49'), Messi (70', 77')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Ernesto Valverde: 'Barcelona were put in difficult position'

Ernesto Valverde claims that Barcelona's decision to play against Las Palmas at an empty Camp Nou was an "exceptional gesture", amid scenes of violence in Catalonia.

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde has admitted that his side's behind-closed-doors meeting with Las Palmas was a unique situation and one that he did not have much say in.

The La Liga leaders played Sunday's fixture at an empty Camp Nou after being threatened with a six-point penalty if they pushed ahead with plans to postpone it.

Violence across the Catalonia region had threatened to see the game called off, with tensions rising amid a controversial referendum for independence, but Valverde believes that the decision to play was a good way for Barca to show their own unified support.

"It's been a different situation from other situations, at least in my career," he told reporters. "The club has tried to postpone the game, it has not been possible, and the club has decided to make an exceptional gesture to a situation that was being generated throughout Catalonia.

"It is a decision that has put the club in a difficult situation. Until shortly before playing we did not know if we would play. The president went down to the locker room, we spoke about it and in the end it is a consensual decision with the club."

Barcelona went on to win the match 3-0 thanks to second-half goals from Sergio Busquets and Lionel Messi, the latter scoring a brace to help extend his side's lead at the La Liga summit.

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid37297187266194
2Barcelona37257577433482
3GironaGirona37246778463278
4Atletico MadridAtletico372341068432573
5Athletic Bilbao371811860372365
6Real Sociedad371612951371460
7Real BetisBetis37141494845356
8Villarreal371410136464052
9Valencia37139153843-548
10AlavesAlaves37129163545-1045
11Osasuna37128174455-1144
12Getafe371013144152-1143
13Sevilla371011164752-541
14Celta Vigo371010174455-1140
15Las PalmasLas Palmas37109183246-1439
16Rayo Vallecano37814152947-1838
17Mallorca37716143143-1237
RCadizCadiz37615162549-2433
RGranada3749243872-3421
RAlmeria37212233774-3718


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