BARCA PLAY IN EPL?
Catalan giants would have right to choose if...
THE thought of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta turning out for Barcelona in the Premier League seems like a distant fantasy.
But remarkably, Catalunya’s bid for independence could open a world of possibilities for the famous club.
And according to the region’s sport minister, the Catalan teams would have the right to choose where they compete if independence from Spain becomes a reality.
“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 Premier League,” said Gerard Figueras.
“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.”
The club itself is yet to publicly address any potential ramifications of independence as unrest has been growing.
Spain’s prime minister Mariano declared the vote as ‘illegal’ and had ballot boxes seized so there does not appear to be a swift resolution in sight.
With political tensions running so high, the iconic football club could find itself at the centre of a tug-of-war.
For now Ernesto Valverde’s side are flying high in La Liga but the notion that the famous old club might strut their stuff against the Premier League’s elite, suddenly isn’t so farfetched.
Barca lead the Liga standings by four points over Atletico Madrid after winning six games from six and maintained their 100 percent start in Europe by scraping a 1-0 win at Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday.
They face a Las Palmas side who are 15th with six points from six games and reeling from the resignation of coach Manolo Marquez. Also today, Real Madrid will search for their first home win of the season in the league when they host Espanyol, who have proved generous opponents in recent years, with Real winning the last 10 games between the two sides in all competitions.
Real have dropped points in their three home league games but will be buoyed by their impressive 3-1 win at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday in the Champions League. Agencies