A historical moment without doubt in the history of FC Barcelona. On Sunday 14 June 1925, recently crowned Spanish Champions FC Barcelona were involved in a friendly match against CE Júpiter, a team who had been Spanish B Champions in a game that was a witnessed by Barça president Joan Gamper as well as representatives Francesc Cambó and  Joan Ventosa i Calvell from the political organisation Lliga Regionalista de Catalunya from the directors' box and also served as a tribute to the 'Orfeó Català', a Catalan choral society. 

A difficult time 

It was not an easy time in the nation's history: in September 1923 Spain was living under the military dictatorship led by General Miguel Primo de Rivera. Any symbol of Catalan separatism was outlawed, such as the use of the Catalan flag, 'la senyera' and the use of the Catalan language. During a time marked by a lack of political freedom the repression of Catalan identity, Barça was for many fans a symbol of resistance to the political ideals of the dictatorship. The military authorities were only too well aware of this fact and waited for any excuse from the fans to wield their repressive powers against FC Barcelona. 

The facts

That opportunity for the authorities came on 14 June. It all came to a head at half time in the game when a great majority of the 14,000 fans present booed and whistled the Spanish national anthem played by sailors from a British boat docked in the port of Barcelona. The musicians had no idea what was going on and interpreted the hostility as a criticism of their musical talents. However, it became obvious that this was not the cause as after playing the Spanish national anthem, the sailors then played the UK national anthem 'God Save the King' which was roundly applauded by the fans in the stadium. 

In hindsight, we can only conclude that in reality the fans were partaking in a spontaneous act of protest against Primo de Rivera's dictatorship on democratic grounds, rather than an outright rejection of the Spanish state. 

Reprisals

In reply, on 24 June the Civil Governor of Barcelona, Joaquín Milans del Bosch, decreed a suspension of activity of six months for FC Barcelona, "considering (...) that in the organisation in question there are individuals who promote ideas contrary to the good of the nation." 

On an individual level the main victim was Joan Gamper. The founder and president of FC Barcelona was obliged to relinquish his role at the club forever and he was temporarily exiled to Switzerland, beginning a decline his fortunes that saw him deal with depression and financial worries that led to his suicide some five years later. Gamper was also prohibited from having any future links to to FC Barcelona. 

Nine days after the punishment was announced, FC Barcelona tried in vain to plead their case with a letter to Milans del Bosch in which the club reasoned: "[The Board of Directors] believe it would be unjust to make our club responsible for any act that takes place at our stadium." 

A club paralysed 

Reason ignored, FC Barcelona had to spend a six month period with all types of sporting events on hold and almost all institutional activities. The club was in limbo, the presidency occupied by Joan Coma after secretary Pere Cusell rejected the role. During this six month period, the few board meetings that took place were witnessed by a delegate from the authorities. A monthly meeting was called, except in September and October with three called in December. With the club in paralysis, there were barely any matters to be discussed. 

Support from outside 

Any other club would have been in danger of disappearing completely but fortunately at the time FC Barcelona was already a strong and stable organisation with a loyal fanbase which allowed it to overcome this setback. The 10,000 members continued to pay their fees and there was smaller drop off in membership than in previous times. In fact, many people who were not even football fans supported the Club financially as an implicit rejection of the dictatorship. The Banc Jover opened an account with 5,000 pesetas for Barça and not a single player left the team during those difficult times. 

The aftermath

On 17 December 1925, with the suspension over, the president of FC Barcelona at the time was Acardi Balaguer, an aristocrat and personal friend of King Alfonso XIII. With Balaguer at the helm, the authorities began to look kindly on Barça and fives days later the Barça players were allowed to take part in their first training session at the stadium in Les Corts for six months. 

Years later, in the atmosphere of freedom and euphoria created by the proclamation of the II Republic, on 21 June 1931, Barça were able to organise another tribute to the 'Orfeó Català'. In completely different political environment at half time in the game between FC Barcelona and Zaragoza, a scroll of parchment was gifted to the Orfeó along with a ribbon for the flag. The text - the work of Barça members and artists Utrillo and Joan M. Guasch, was the same as the one what was to be offered on that fateful 14 June 1925:

"Today in Catalonia, art and sport are twin pillars that raise the raise the invisible flag of the nation up to the skies. The new nation is being built. With the pain of the hammer the youth is igniting. You singing, us playing, we work night and day for the glory of a people. Friends from the Orfeó, your great triumph in Rome is at the forefront of our minds. For today's victory, for tomorrow's fight, FC Barcelona wants to be always by your side."

Força Barça