MP picks football match over crucial vote

Douglas Ross, the Tory MP for Moray, will remain absent from a debate on the roll-out of universal credit to officiate at the Camp Nou as host Barcelona prepares to take on Greek team Olympiakos in a Champions League encounter on Wednesday.

Amid the political confusion in Catalonia that continues to cast a shadow over Barcelona's home games, the news of a public servant choosing football over a crucial vote adds a different flair to the contest.

Douglas Ross, the Tory MP for Moray, will remain absent from a debate on the roll-out of universal credit to officiate at the Camp Nou as host Barcelona prepares to take on Greek team Olympiakos in a Champions League encounter on Wednesday.

MPs at Westminster are scheduled to vote on a Labour motion calling for the controversial benefit rollout to be postponed at 7:00 p.m - 45 minutes prior to the start of the match at Camp Nou.

Amid the political confusion in Catalonia that continues to cast a shadow over Barcelona's home games, the news of a public servant choosing football over a crucial vote adds a different flair to the contest.