Spanish government bans Catalan flags at Copa del Rey final

Spain's acting government has issued a ban on Catalan flags and other "inflammatory symbols" in Sunday's Copa del Rey final in Madrid.

Spanish police have been instructed to frisk over 19,000 Barcelona fans ahead of the tournament's concluding fixture against Sevilla, reports James Badcock from The Telegraph.

The Catalan flag of yellow and red stripes is a symbol of Catalonia's independence, but Spain's conservative Popular Party (PP) doesn't want it on display, with politician Concepcion Dancausa saying the Copa del Rey final "must not be made a scene of political struggle."

Approximately 2,500 officers will be on duty in and around the Vicente Calderon stadium for the final, and with King Felipe in attendance, fans of the Blaugrana will likely still boo the Spanish national anthem, even without their symbolic flag.