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Barcelona Politician Admits Club Could Move To The Premier League

Barcelona Politician Admits Club Could Move To The Premier League

Referendum in Catalunya could lead to Barcelona, Espanyol and Girona being without a league if La Liga kick them out.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

If we're really lucky we might usually get to see Barcelona play two Premier League teams in a season in the Champions League but if politics has anything to do with it that could be a lot more soon.

I should really start this article by saying that I've almost no belief that this will happen but if Catalonia's minister for sport says that it's a possibility then I guess we have to take it seriously.

Who wouldn't want to see Lionel Messi in the Premier League alongside Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta. If nothing else the league could make sure their random fixture generator puts them away to Stoke on a Tuesday night in December.

Sunday's referendum could change a lot of things in Spain, including football. Image: PA

The reason that Barcelona, along with Catalan neighbours Espanyol and Girona, could be without a league to play in is that this weekend the Catalan region are holding a referendum for independence.

The Spanish government reckons it's an illegal referendum but should the people of the region vote for independence it could lead to those clubs being kicked out of La Liga. That led to Minister for Sport Gerard Fiuerasto say:

"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."

Just bring Messi to the Premier League already will you! Image: PA

The Spanish Government claimed last week that the referendum was illegal and made 12 arrests in connection with it which led to FC Barcelona putting a statement out in support of the referendum saying:

""In the wake of the events that have transpired in recent days and, especially, today, with regard to the current political situation in Catalonia, FC Barcelona, in remaining faithful to its historic commitment to the defense of the nation, to democracy, to freedom of speech, and to self-determination, condemns any act that may impede the free exercise of these rights."

The La Liga president recently cast a shadow over Catalan clubs involvement in the league if the region votes on independence saying, "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."

Surely it's better for La Liga to have Barcelona playing in the league. This won't happen, right?!

Featured Image Credit: FC Barcelona

Topics: Barcelona, Premier League, La Liga