Barcelona game to be played behind closed doors following clashes

There was concern that the match would have to be postponed due to a lack of police resources as a result of the disputed independence referendum, which the Spanish government says is illegal.

Reports of widespread unrest across Catalonia during the disputed independence poll intensified calls for the game to be called off.

However, Liga officials reportedly turned down an application from the Catalan club to postpone the game, resulting in the fixture being played behind closed doors.

Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague reported that had Barcelona taken the decision to postpone the game independently of Liga, then they would have faced forfeiting the three points.