Barcelona Permitted to Wave Estelada Flags at Copa Del Rey Final

Barcelona fans will be permitted to wave Estelada flags during the Copa del Rey final at Vicente Calderon on Sunday.

The club announced the change, noting Barcelona "celebrates that the judge’s decision will allow the free expression of legal symbols and banners by its members and supporters."

However, the club also added that it "expresses its concern about the reoccurrence of situations like the one on Wednesday, and which are an affront to the freedom of expression, and do nothing to benefit what has always been a celebration of football and sport."

Marca's Didac Piferrer (adapted by Enda Kenneally) previously reported fans would wave Scottish flags instead, noting the Estelada had been banned "by Madrid authorities that see it as too political."

According to Reuters (h/t Eurosport), a group of Catalan nationalist organisations released a statement that read: "We've chosen this symbol because it highlights the different treatment that Catalonia receives from Spain, compared with the UK government's treatment of Scotland."

In 2014, Scotland held a referendum to determine whether it should remain part of the UK or become independent, ultimately voting for the former.

Emilio Morenatti/Associated Press

Per Piferrer, Catalonia President Carles Puigdemont and Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau have decided to boycott the game as a result of the ban. The Catalan National Assembly will hand out 10,000 Scottish flags to be waved at 17 minutes and 14 seconds—commemorating the defeat of Catalan forces at the Siege of Barcelona in the War of Spanish Succession in 1714.

Per Reuters (h/t Eurosport), acting Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria said of the ban: "The government's representative in Madrid has taken this decision for operational and security reasons, not political reasons."

Luis F. Duran of El Mundo (h/t ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan) gave further insight into the law invoked to bring about the injunction:

"

Madrid government more preposterous as Esteladas banned in case they "incite violent or terrorist behaviour." https://t.co/lKzJaYddfk

— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) May 19, 2016"

On Thursday, Barcelona appealed to courts in Madrid over the ban "grounded on the infringement of the fundamental right to freedom of expression," the club said in a statement.

According to the previous Reuters article, Barca fans have waved the Scottish Saltire flag before, such as during a UEFA Champions League match with APOEL Nicosia last season.

La Liga champions Barcelona will take on Sevilla in the Spanish capital on Sunday, with Unai Emery's side coming into the showpiece fresh from securing their third successive UEFA Europa League title.