Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu says the club would have little option but to quit La Liga if Catalonia claimed independence from Spain.
The 24-time Spanish champions were forced to play Sunday’s match against Las Palmas behind closed doors as a protest against authorities, who had injured 840 people while preventing voters taking part in a banned referendum on the region.
But as well as having a far-reaching impact on the country’s future, Bartomeu has admitted the club could also be forced to consider leaving La Liga too, should independence be granted.
“In the case of independence, the club and the members would have to decide in which league we would play,” Bartomeu told reporters after a board meeting.
“We are going through difficult and complicated moments and with respect to what could happen in the future we will take it on with calm and wisdom.”
Catalan sports minister Gerard Figueras last week said Barcelona may be able to play in another country should the region achieve independence from Spain.
“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 like Italy, France or the (English) Premier League,” he said.
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