Barcelona could move to Premier League if Catalan region votes for independence from Spain
BARCELONA may try to join the Premier League if the Catalonia region vote for independence from Spain this weekend.
The Catalan region are pressing ahead with a referendum on Sunday despite the Spanish government ruling it illegal and sending police in to attempt to seize ballot boxes.
And should the vote go in favour of leaving Spain, there have been suggestion Barcelona could be barred from competing in La Liga.
That has left the region's clubs, Barca, Espanyol and Girono, considering what their future options will be - and Catalonia's minister for sport says the Premier League is an option.
Gerard Fiueras said: “In the case of independence, Catalan teams in La Liga – Barcelona, Espanyol and Girona – will have to decide where they want to play: in the Spanish league or a neighbouring country: Italy, France or the Premier League.
“Now in Spain there teams from other countries who play in national leagues: clubs from Andorra in football and basketball. Monaco play in France, in England Welsh clubs.
"I don't think that UEFA has anything against seeing another club play in a different league from their country.”
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and Barca defender Gerard Pique have spoken out in favour of the referendum, which is being held among the 7.5million population in the region.
The central government and several political parties are insisting the vote is illegal - but Spain have already warned La Liga will have to ban any independent clubs from competing.
La Liga president Javier Tebas said: “In sport, it isn't a la carte and things must be clearly stated.
"It isn't easy to have an agreement and study Spanish legislation but if they (Catalan clubs) do get that, then they will not be able to play in Spain's La Liga, but I hope it doesn't come to that."
Barcelona last month took the public step of backing the vote, aware it has the support of a huge amount of their fan base.
A club statement said: “FC Barcelona, in holding the utmost respect for its diverse body of members, will continue to support the will of the majority of Catalan people, and will do so in a civil, peaceful, and exemplary way.”
And City boss Guardiola, who has long campaigned for independence, spoke at a rally in June and said: “We have no other option but to vote.
"We call on the international community to support us and on democrats the world over to help us to defend the rights that are threatened in Catalunya, such as the right of freedom of expression and the right to vote.”
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