Barcelona Ban Espanyol Fans From Buying Tickers for Upcoming Derby

• Barcelona will take on their rivals Espanyol on December 31, when La Liga action resumes
• Barcelona and Espanyol are both Catalan clubs and have developed a fierce rivalry over the years
• With a Catalan Derby looming, Barcelona have banned Espanyol fans from buying tickers for the game

Barcelona have taken their rivalry with Espanyol to another level.

The Blaugrana and Espanyol are both Catalan clubs and both compete in the top tier of Spanish football.

The two sides will face off on New Year's Eve as La Liga action resumes after the World Cup break, and Barcelona have taken drastic action to ensure that no Espanyol fans attend the game.

The club confirmed on its website that Espanyol fans were not allowed to purchase tickets for the game.

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"The purchase for fans of Espanyol is not allowed," a notice on the website read.

Barca Universal also reported that fans wearing Espanyol clothing or carrying emblems of the club will also be denied entry.

A big game for Xavi

The clash against Espanyol also marks Xavi’s one-year anniversary in charge of the side.

The former Barca player took charge on November 20, 2021, against Espanyol. Barcelona won that game thanks to a Memphis Depay penalty.

Braithwaite’s return to Barcelona

Danish striker Martin Braithwaite will also make his return to his former side when Espanyol play the Blaugrana.

Braithwaite was released by Xavi’s side in the summer transfer window and joined their neighbours and rivals. The Danish striker is out for revenge, considering the manner in which he left the club.

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With the World Cup reaching the business end, all eyes turn once again to league action.

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One person who is more eager than anyone else to get going is Espanyol's Martin Braithwaite.

The striker featured at the FIFA World Cup, but his Denmark side were knocked out in the group stages of the tournament, Sports Brief reported.

Barcelona terminate Martin Braithwaite's contract

The Martin Braithwaite versus Barcelona saga has finally come to an end, Sports Brief earlier reported.

The Danish striker and La Blaugrana have been embroiled in a public dispute of late, as Barca were trying to part ways with the player but Braithwaite refused to leave.

He still had two years on his deal with the Catalan club, but they opted rather to let him go in a free transfer.