'Prison is not the solution' - Barcelona show solidarity as Catalan political prisoners are handed long sentences

Barcelona have shown solidarity with the Catalan political prisoners handed long jail sentences by the Spanish Supreme Court on Monday.

Nine separatist leaders were handed sentences of between nine and 12 years on Monday for sedition and misuse of public funds following their part in the 2017 referendum on Catalan independence, which was considered illegal by the government in Madrid.

After and heavy-handed tactics and brutal aggression by the Spanish police saw innocent people hurt in the streets of Barcelona on October 1, 2017, Barca decided to play their league game at home to Las Palmas behind closed doors that day as a protest and the Catalan club released a statement on Monday in support of the jailed leaders.

"FC Barcelona, as one of the leading entities in Catalonia, and in accordance with its historical record, for the defence of freedom of expression and the right to decide, today, after the condemnatory ruling issued by the Supreme Court in relation to the open process against the Catalan civic and political leaders, states that:

"In the same way that the preventive prison sentence didn't help to resolve the conflict, neither will the prison sentence given today, because prison is not the solution. The resolution of the conflict in Catalonia must come exclusively from political dialogue," it said.

The Catalan club also called for a "process of dialogue and negotiation" to resolve the conflict.

"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," the statement continued.

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

Several players also used their platform to back the jailed leaders. "Proud to be part of this Club," defender Gerard Pique wrote in a tweet which quoted Barca's statement. "All my support and solidarity," Sergi Roberto tweeted, while Xavi posted on Instagram with a list of the imprisoned politicians and the word "shame" – in Catalan, Spanish and English.

Barca's fans unfurled a banner at Camp Nou ahead of their Champions League group game at home to Inter Milan at the beginning of the month which read: "Only dictatorships jail peaceful political leaders."

The Catalans' next match at home is the Clasico clash versus Real Madrid on October 26, for which another demonstration from fans is expected.

Meanwhile, huge protests disrupted the Catalan capital following the news on Monday and midfielder Ivan Rakitic was pictured leaving the airport on foot amid the chaos after returning from international duty with Croatia.