Barca laments jail terms for Catalan politicians

FC Barcelona have released a statement opposing the jail terms handed to Catalan political prisoners.

Spain's Supreme Court on Monday sentenced nine Catalan separatist leaders to prison terms of between nine and 13 years for sedition for their role in a failed 2017 independence bid.

Barcelona once again reiterated that any solution should be found  ‘exclusively through dialogue.’

“In the same way that the preventive prison sentence didn't help to resolve the conflict, neither will the prison sentence given [on Monday], because prison is not the solution,” the Barca statement read.

“The resolution of the conflict in Catalonia must come exclusively from political dialogue.

“Therefore, now more than ever, the club asks all political leaders to lead a process of dialogue and negotiation to resolve this conflict, which should also allow for the release of convicted civic and political leaders.

“Barcelona also expresses all its support and solidarity to the families of those who are deprived of their freedom.”