Barcelona hit with La Liga complaint over Camp Nou chants in Athletic Bilbao fixture

Barcelona's first La Liga home match of the season has been followed by a formal complaint after La Liga recorded five separate incidents involving chants from sections of the Camp Nou crowd.

Hansi Flick's side beat Athletic Club 2-0 on Thursday, with Raphinha and Fermin Lopez securing victory for the champions.

However, attention after the match was also drawn towards the stands, where supporters staged a protest that included chants directed at Spain, the Spanish national team, the National Police and Atletico Madrid.

The incidents have now been included in La Liga's official match report and referred to the relevant disciplinary authorities, meaning Barcelona could face further scrutiny over the behaviour recorded inside their stadium.

Camp Nou protest overshadowed Barcelona victory

The demonstrations were linked to an incident involving a young Barcelona supporter during the previous weekend's fixture at Elche.

The controversy surrounding a police intervention involving the fan, who was carrying an estelada, had generated anger among sections of the Barcelona support. That tension subsequently carried into the club's first home league fixture.

Thousands of pro-independence estelada flags were reportedly visible around Camp Nou, following plans by the Assemblea Nacional Catalana to distribute 10,000 flags for the match.

The Grada Gol Sud became the main focal point of the protest, with La Liga's report identifying several chants from that area.

Around two minutes before kick-off, supporters in the Grada Gol 1957 section were reported to have directed an anti-Spain chant towards the country and national team. The same chant was recorded again during the 18th minute.

Those two incidents are among five separate episodes now included in La Liga's report.

Barcelona await disciplinary decision

La Liga also recorded an incident in the 56th minute when supporters in the Grada Gol Sur were heard chanting an insult for approximately 10 seconds.

Two further incidents were reported late in the game. In the 92nd minute, a chant directed towards the National Police was recorded, while another chant aimed at Atletico Madrid was heard two minutes later.

La Liga has subsequently referred the incidents to the RFEF Competition Committee and the Anti-Violence Commission, which will determine whether any of the behaviour warrants disciplinary action.

The complaint does not automatically mean Barcelona will receive a punishment. The relevant authorities must first assess the content and circumstances of the incidents before deciding whether sanctions are appropriate.

The development comes at an otherwise positive start to Barcelona's campaign.

FGG Says: Camp Nou atmosphere brings fresh headache for Barcelona

Barcelona will be pleased with another victory, but the complaint means their home opener has created an issue away from the pitch.

The club have yet to learn whether the reported chants will result in a financial penalty or another form of sanction. For now, the important distinction is that La Liga has reported the incidents rather than Barcelona having already been punished.

The political atmosphere around Camp Nou has once again become impossible to separate from the football, with the estelada displays and chants ensuring that Barcelona's first home game of the campaign produced headlines beyond the 2-0 scoreline.