Catalan regional president Carles Puigdemont lashed out at the government’s “catastrophic” handling of the crisis and said he was open to mediation. Puigdemont and other Catalan leaders have said they are not afraid of going to jail over their independence bid. If Catalonia declares independence, Spain could respond by suspending the region’s existing autonomous status and imposing direct rule from Madrid. Footballers speak outBarcelona Football Club, a powerful symbol of Catalan identity, and its captain Andres Iniesta called for dialogue to settle the crisis. But Ramos also said “hats off” to Spain’s King Felipe, who angered Catalan leaders by calling them to drop their independence drive.

Source: Manila Times October 06, 2017 04:18 UTC