Barcelona vs Las Palmas could be AXED because of Catalan independence referendum
BARCELONA's weekend clash with Las Palmas is in doubt over policing concerns.
The game is scheduled for 3.15pm at the Nou Camp this Sunday - the day of the Catalan referendum.
Security was stepped up at games after the city's terror attack in August that killed 13 people.
With masses expected to be out in the city to vote and attend the Liga match, police officials are worried their forces could be overstretched.
Officers have been spotted checking drains for explosives in the lead-up the referendum, such is the tension.
Catalonia's separatist leaders plan to open the region's polling stations on Sunday despite the government branding it an "illegal" vote.
The Catalan leaders and the Spanish government have been at loggerheads for decades over campaigns for a split.
And, according to a in Spain, that could force the postponement of the game, as Barca look to maintain their perfect start to the season.
Ernesto Valverde's side have won their opening six matches, scoring 20 goals and conceding just two.
Lionel Messi has been in ominous form, netting nine of those strikes - at an average of a goal every 60 minutes.
Barca limped to a 1-0 Champions League win over Sporting last night thanks to an own-goal from Liverpool and Sunderland reject Sebastian Coates.
This weekend's game is set to be Pako Ayestaran's first game in charge of Las Palmas after Manolo Marquez resigned from the Gran Canaria club on Tuesday.
Ayestaran had been without a club since he was fired by Valencia last year.
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He was an assistant with Valencia from 2001-04, when it won two Spanish league titles and a Uefa Cup trophy.
He later became an assistant coach with Liverpool, helping the English club win the 2005 Champions League and the 2006 FA Cup.
He then worked as head coach for Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel and Santos Laguna and Estudiantes Tecos in Mexico.
Marquez, who resigned after less than three months in charge, is expected to remain at the club and work in the department for training and recruitment.
Las Palmas are 15th in the table, with six points from as many games.
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