REAL MADRID’S supporters protested against the Catalonia independence referendum during the La Liga clash against Espanyol by hoisting Spanish flags above their heads.
It came just hours after Barcelona were forced to play their game against Las Palmas behind closed doors due to fears of crowd safety.
In the 12th minute of the game at the Bernabeu, swathes of the Rojigualda appeared all around the Bernabeu as Madrid fans decided to show where their support lies.
The Spanish government, who are based in Madrid, has said that the Catalan referendum vote is “illegal”.
It had led to fights breaking out around Catalonia between police and pro-independence supporters.
SunSport reported earlier how Barcelona, who defeated Las Palmas 3-0 in their La Liga clash, showed their support for the Catalan independence referendum by posting the word ‘democracy’ on their scoreboard.
Their La Liga game against Las Palmas was played behind closed doors as the club decided it wasn’t safe in light of the violent protests going on throughout the region.
And after the Barca players came out for the pre-match warm-up wearing shirts in the colour of the Catalan message, a defiant message was lit up on the scoreboard.
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It appeared the game was going to be called off due to ongoing troubles in the city with many defying the constitutional ruling and voting in the "illegal" Catalan referendum.
However, Las Palmas players warmed up ahead of the match amid unofficial reports the match was off — and Barca stars later did likewise.
Barcelona has been besieged with trouble today as citizens go to polling stations to register their vote in the Catalan referendum.
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What is the Catalan independence referendum? - read all about it here
Spain's constitutional court had declared the vote illegal, and police had been charged with stopping people from registering their vote.
The heavy-handed policing led to clashes in the street and their violent approach has been met with widespread criticism.
Los Mossos — Catalan police — had confirmed they had the numbers to cover the match, despite the initial fears.
That appeased La Liga, but not Barcelona, who still feared for the safety of the fans.
Former Manchester United defender Gerard Pique was moved to TEARS after seeing images of the police brutality.
The Barcelona centre-back said: "There was no act of aggression from the people today and yet the police have acted in the way that they have acted today."
He said the game was his "worst experience" as a player.
After regaining his composure he added: "We are up against a ruling party that uses all means possible to lie.
"There are people who think that the Catalans are the bad guys; we are not the bad guys, we just want to vote."
Pique also said he would "step aside" from the Spanish national team if the Spanish FA think his political views would "represent a problem".
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