Over heavy-handed response

controversially opted to add a Spanish flag to their shirt for the fixture.

Pedro Bayona had watched Scotland’s 2014 referendum with envy.

He said: “We want what Scotland had. There is a big difference between the United Kingdom and Spain – you recognised democracy.”

There was a sizable Scottish contingent in Catalonia for the vote, including SNP MPs Joanna Cherry and Douglas Chapman, part of a cross-party international parliamentary delegation observing the referendum. Elsewhere, independence supporters Marty Smith, 26 and Tam Wilson, 25, came “to show solidarity”.

As expected, those who went out to vote were overwhelmingly pro-independence.

But Catalan opinion is more divided than the rows of starry independence flags hanging from the balconies of Barcelona’s winding streets might suggest.

At least half of voters would like to remain part of Spain, according to polls.

“Spain is our nation and Catalonia is part of Spain,” said Carla, who took part in a major anti-independence rally in Barcelona on Saturday.

Some independence supporters say Catalonia would be more prosperous outside Spain, citing the region’s relative economic strength and trading ties.

But for many others, the question of independence goes beyond money.

Jane, a teacher with a four-year-old son, said: “Thanks to this government in Madrid, more and more people support independence. That will only continue.”