Spanish authorities have lifted a ban on Barca fans waving pro-independent Catalan flags at this weekend's Spanish cup final.

Supporters of the club had planned to carry some 10,000 Saltires into the match at the Vicente Calderon stadium on Sunday as a major protest.

However, a judge in Madrid on Friday revoked a local authority ruling prohibiting the estelada - a symbol of Catalan sovereignty - after Barcelona FC made an official complaint.

The judge, in what is seen as an important decision for freedom of expression within the Spanish state, ruled the ban had been "groundless, unjustified and disproportionate".

Image: Catalans planned to wave 10,000 Saltires at the Cup Final

The Herald: