Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez apologised Sunday for a comment he had made about Dani Alves, who was arrested earlier this week following sexual assault allegations.

Catalonia's separatists look set to regain power in the wealthy Spanish region after local elections.

Hundreds of thousands of Spaniards rallies in Catalonia's capital Barcelona, waving national and European flags and chanting "Viva Espana!" to denounce regional lawmakers' vote to sever the region from Spain.

Catalonia's separatist leader calls on Catalans to peacefully oppose Spain's takeover, in a staged appearance that seems to convey that he refuses to accept his firing, which was ordered by central authorities.

Spain takes drastic measures to stop Catalonia from breaking away, announcing plans to dismiss its separatist government and call fresh elections in a move the region's leader compared to the dictatorship of Francisco Franco.

The decision of Catalonia's separatist leaders to delay their unilateral declaration of independence from Spain may have averted an immediate showdown between the regional government in the Catalonian capital Barcelona, and Spain's central government in Madrid.

Spain braces for more protests Saturday despite tentative signs that the sides may be seeking to defuse the crisis after Madrid offered a first apology to Catalans injured by police during their outlawed independence vote.

FC barcelona offer to mediate in the conflict between the Spanish government and Catalonia concerning Catalonia’s independence referendum.

Police in Catalonia has already sealed over half of the 2,315 polling stations in the region to stop an independence referendum from taking place, the Spanish government says, as separatists remained determined to fight for their right to vote.

Catalonia may not be a state, but it can count on a small and symbolic red and blue army in the form of European football champions Barcelona.