Taxi drivers plan 'total shutdown' of Barcelona on Tuesday over Barça's deal with Uber

Barcelona's taxi drivers are planning a "total shutdown" of the city on Tuesday night in protest against FC Barcelona's new partnership with Uber.

The demonstration, called by Élite Taxi union, will coincide with the UEFA Champions League match between Barça and Olympiacos.

Taxi services across Barcelona and the metropolitan area will be suspended from 5 pm to 10 pm, with drivers vowing that "not a single taxi" will operate during that time.

Before the game, scheduled for 6.45pm, drivers plan to block access roads around the Olympic Stadium.

The protest will then march from Plaça Espanya to the Camp Nou offices, surrounding the stadium area.

Élite Taxi has condemned the club's sponsorship deal, which makes Uber an official partner of FC Barcelona.

They call it an agreement with "criminals" who have built their business on "deregulation, labor exploitation, and tax evasion."

The union warned that further protests will follow future matches if the partnership is not canceled.

"We ask the club to reconsider its decision. Otherwise, there will be social conflict, as we will protest at all La Liga and Champions League games," an Élite Taxi spokesperson said.

Meeting with the club

Although the protest is scheduled for Tuesday, the deal with Uber has not yet been signed and is expected to be announced on Wednesday.

The taxi union will meet with the club on Tuesday morning at FC Barcelona's offices, alongside the club's general director, Manel del Río.

"We want to sincerely thank FC Barcelona for their attention and respect in receiving us, demonstrating their willingness to dialogue and listen to the voice of taxi drivers," Élite Taxi said.

The union described the club as a "symbol of the city," noting that it has historically represented far more than sport.

"It is difficult to understand that the club, which was born from this spirit, would today associate itself with a company like Uber, which represents greed over justice and speculation over effort," they added.