Catalonia's regional parliament declares independence from Spain in a disputed vote that is now likely to be declared illegal by Spain's constitutional court.

Spanish defender Sergio Ramos suggests that he and Barcelona's Gerard Pique are on the same boat and conveys wish to live in a free and democratic country.

Former Barcelona favourite Hristo Stoichkov backs the independence referendum in Catalonia and denounces the violence that marred the banned vote.

Isco scored twice as Real Madrid reduce the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to seven points courtesy of a 2-0 win over Espanyol.

Catalonia's leader Carles Puigdemont says the region won the right to break away from Spain, with his government claiming that 90 percent of voters backed independence in a banned referendum marred by clashes.

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.

The central government of Spain, which has sent thousands of police reinforcements to Catalonia to prevent people from voting, insists the referendum would not happen.