JOURNALISM AND POLITICS AND HISTORY

1st October 2017
They say in journalism, "don't mix sport and politics", but that's often far from possible. That was the case in the Barcelona region on 1st October 2017, when the people of Catalonia were voting in a controversial referendum. This was to decide if "the people" would declare independence from Spain, while Barcelona (the capital of Catalonia!!!) was due to entertain Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) in La Liga. 

Expecting tensions to be high, Barcelona officials requested that the match be postponed but that request was refused. On the 1st of October, tensions were indeed high and with chaotic and violent scenes in Barcelona, the football club considered calling the match off. But that would have risked suffering a 6 point penalty, so instead, shortly before kick off, they decided to play behind closed doors. Average home League attendances, up to that point of the season had been over 50,000! Hopefully match highlights (about 2 mins) below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcG-oE40aVE

Even an empty Nou Camp didn't stop the conflict. One fan did get in and promptly 'invaded' the pitch while the two clubs had opposing views on the referendum. Las Palmas were firmly in the 'stay' camp and had the Spanish flag and date printed on their shirts, while Barcelona were in the 'leave' camp and used their scoreboard to promote their message. Barcelona won the football match 3-0 (Busquets 49', Messi 70, 77') and the separatists were victorious in the political vote. From then on, you just knew that Brexit would be sharing the news' summaries with a new story!

Now here's a piece of history! Ollie McBurnie.....HIS CAREER...

Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2013–2015	Bradford City	15	(0)
2015	→ Chester (loan)	4	(1)
2015	→ Chester (loan)	10	(4)
2015–2019	Swansea City	58	(22)
2015	→ Newport County (loan)	3	(3)
2016	→ Bristol Rovers (loan)	5	(0)
2018	→ Barnsley (loan)	17	(9)
2019–2024	Sheffield United	146	(26)
2024–2025	Las Palmas	34	(3)
2025–	Hull City	8	(6)
International career
2014–2015	Scotland U19	4	(1)
2015–2017	Scotland U21	12	(2)
2018–2021	Scotland	16	(0)

On 21 January 2024, Ollie converted an equalising penalty in a 2–2 Sheffield Utd home draw against West Ham United. The goal was timed at 102:08, the latest Premier League goal on record. He was released by the club on expiration of his contract on 1 July 2024.  

On 25 July 2024, McBurnie signed for La Liga club, Las Palmas, signing a three-year contract. He left the club in July 2025 and on 6 August 2025, McBurnie returned to England, joining Championship club Hull City on a three-year deal, with a club option for a further year.