Spain’s Interior Ministry has opened an internal investigation into riot police conduct during disturbances outside the Martínez Valero stadium in Elche, where a 17-year-old was detained amid clashes before the Elche-Barça match. Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska confirmed the probe, which focuses on whether an officer from the Unidad de Intervención Policial used disproportionate force during the arrest. Videos circulated showing the minor being struck in the face while on the ground and again while handcuffed.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from Catalan political parties, including Junts per Catalunya, Esquerra, the CUP and Comuns, as well as from FC Barcelona. The club said it is considering legal action to defend its supporters’ rights and freedom of expression after estelada flags were confiscated and police used force. The controversy has also prompted the Catalan government to seek clarification from the central authorities. Spokesperson Silvia Paneque said no official order was given to seize flags, except those inciting hate.
Police union SUP has defended the officers’ actions as justified and proportionate, arguing that social media clips omit the full context, including alleged insults and resistance from the detained minor. Several police sources, but, have described the officer’s conduct as excessive and expect disciplinary proceedings, which could range from a temporary suspension to dismissal if abuse of authority is confirmed. Any administrative process would be paused if a criminal complaint is filed, and until a court ruling is issued.
Information from police accounts, the unrest began when two young Barça fans, both apparently minors, shouted insults and displayed an estelada flag as officers tried to separate rival supporters at the stadium entrance. The operational chief ordered their removal, citing incitement to hatred and threats. The situation escalated when one of the minors resisted, leading to a physical confrontation captured on video. The detained youth now faces charges of resisting arrest, disobedience and assaulting an officer.
The political fallout has reached the national parliament, where Junts has announced a series of questions for the Interior Ministry about the legal grounds for flag seizures and whether displaying estelades is punishable. Police sources acknowledge that Spanish law does not ban flags in stadiums, but officers may remove them if they believe their display could provoke incidents. The debate echoes earlier controversies over police actions at football matches, including the flag-related disputes at Elche-Barça covered previously.
The Martínez Valero stadium has seen heightened security measures in recent years, especially during high-profile matches involving teams with politically active fan bases. The Unidad de Intervención Policial, often deployed for crowd control at major sporting events, operates under strict protocols. Incidents like this have reignited debate over the balance between public order and civil liberties. In Spain, the Ley del Deporte allows sanctions against those inciting violence at sports venues, but the threshold for what constitutes incitement remains contested. The current investigation may set a precedent for policing at future football events, particularly in the handling of political symbols and the use of force during arrests.
