Real Madrid deny banning Spanish flags before Champions League tie with Inter Milan

Real Madrid have issued an urgent statement denying reports that Spanish flags, or flags representing the country’s autonomous regions and cities, will be prohibited at the Santiago Bernabeu before their Champions League opener against Inter Milan.

The statement was released on Tuesday evening, only hours before Real Madrid begin their European campaign at home. The club said the claims, which had spread widely across social media and appeared in some media outlets, were completely false.

“In light of the news circulating on some social media platforms and in some media outlets, Real Madrid Football Club wishes to categorically deny the rumours that the club has issued instructions to prevent Spanish flags or the flags of any of our autonomous regions or cities from entering the Santiago Bernabeu,” the club said.

Real Madrid stressed that its position on national symbols had not changed and that its internal regulations complied fully with the law currently in force.

“The club’s regulations comply with the guidelines of the legislation in force, which of course permits, and has always permitted, without any restrictions, the entry of all official flags of our country into our stadium,” the statement added.

The club’s intervention came as preparations continued for a major European night at the Bernabeu. By addressing the reports before kick-off, Real Madrid sought to make clear that supporters would be allowed to enter with official flags without exception.

The denial also came against a wider backdrop of political tension surrounding the display of regional symbols at Spanish football matches.

Earlier, a Catalan club issued a strongly worded statement condemning what it described as the “excessive and unjustified use of force” by members of the National Police against its members and supporters near Martinez Valero, the home ground of Elche. Those involved had been carrying the Estelada, the flag associated with Catalan independence.

The incident concerned a minor supporter who was stopped and detained by police before the match. The action was linked to the young fan carrying the Estelada, and was described publicly by president Laporta as “disproportionate and violent” and as having no connection with freedom of expression.

The case prompted widespread solidarity within the club. Among those to express their full support for the supporter and his family were the player Gavi and president Laporta.

Real Madrid’s statement did not announce any change to stadium policy. Instead, it reaffirmed that the club’s regulations allow the entry of official Spanish flags, as well as those representing the country’s autonomous regions and cities, in accordance with existing legislation.

The clarification was issued shortly before the meeting with Inter Milan, with the club aiming to ensure that attention remained on the opening Champions League fixture rather than on an unverified claim circulating online.