Barcelona vs Las Palmas goes ahead behind closed doors after Barca were threatened with automatic 3-0 loss for ‘refusing to play’

BARCELONA are taking on Las Palmas behind closed doors after the club were threatened with an automatic 3-0 loss for refusing to play.

The Catalan capital has been engulfed in violence as many locals defy government laws to vote in the "illegal" Catalan independence referendum — with police forced into using rubber bullets.

The game was set to be called off after Barcelona made an official request to La Liga, but Los Mossos — the local police — confirmed they had the resources to safeguard the match.

And that meant, if the Nou Camp board had persisted with their request for a postponement, they could have been hit with a 3-0 loss as punishment.

President Josep Maria Bartomeu confirmed he wanted the game called off, but decided to play amid the threat of losing six points.

He explained: "It would have been a six-point loss — three for not playing and three as a punishment.

"After seeing our request turned down by La Liga, we decided the game should be played in a unique manner.

"We want the world to see what we are living in the Catalonia."

Several former Barcelona icons have had their say on the situation, with Xavi calling the situation a "disgrace" and Pep Guardiola revealing he voted via email.

While Carles Puyol insists voting is a democratic right.

Barcelona host Las Palmas at 3:15pm GMT time.

Las Palmas have been labelled "fascists" by their own fans after the club revealed they would wear a special kit with a Spain flag woven into it for the match.

Ernesto Valverde's men have enjoyed a 100 per cent start to their La Liga season, despite their perceived summer troubles.

Even if the match is postponed, Barca will maintain a two-point lead at the summit.