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Catalonia independence kill off La Liga?

Matthew Gilbert

Active Member
Aug 20, 2013
178
300
While this article does appear as hear say, it does pose an interesting question about what would happen with the Catalonian clubs, especially Barcelona.

With all the money and politics involved with Barcelona and Madrid, I just can't see that La Liga would want to lose Barca, especially Real as the value of the league would be less than the Championship. The whole league model and popularity is based off these two clubs. However, the ball appears in Barca's court as they could effectively choose where they would want to play. Could quite easily see them in Ligue 1 with PSG and Monaco.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...atalan-independence-vote-ballot-a7975266.html
 

Dougal

Staff
Jun 4, 2004
60,345
129,918
They’ll stay put. You can’t recreate El Classico somewhere else.

That said, if TV shouts enough people believe the hype.
 

John48

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2015
2,249
3,143
Would be interesting to see how they would vote if they were told Barca would have leave La Liga, could end up with Barca & Espanyo playing one another every week.
 

theShiznit

Well-Known Member
Jul 26, 2004
17,800
23,813
The whole "vote" thing was a joke, as many people (mainly pro staying part of Spain) were told to stay away from the vote as it was not legitimate and there could be violence. Can't see how it can go ahead in light of that, but the Spanish government aren't making it easy for themselves by making threats.
 

John48

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2015
2,249
3,143
The whole "vote" thing was a joke, as many people (mainly pro staying part of Spain) were told to stay away from the vote as it was not legitimate and there could be violence. Can't see how it can go ahead in light of that, but the Spanish government aren't making it easy for themselves by making threats.

So is the solution to let them have an official vote & encourage everyone to vote or they won't go down that route, because that would be binding?
 

absolute bobbins

Am Yisrael Chai
Feb 12, 2013
11,649
25,962
Would be interesting to see how they would vote if they were told Barca would have leave La Liga, could end up with Barca & Espanyo playing one another every week.
It wouldn’t change a thing, if you’re Catalan and support Barca then you want independence, the reason Espanyol have their name is self explanatory.
 

WorcesterTHFC

Well-Known Member
May 4, 2016
1,777
2,545
While this article does appear as hear say, it does pose an interesting question about what would happen with the Catalonian clubs, especially Barcelona.

With all the money and politics involved with Barcelona and Madrid, I just can't see that La Liga would want to lose Barca, especially Real as the value of the league would be less than the Championship. The whole league model and popularity is based off these two clubs. However, the ball appears in Barca's court as they could effectively choose where they would want to play. Could quite easily see them in Ligue 1 with PSG and Monaco.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...atalan-independence-vote-ballot-a7975266.html
They'd have to square it with UEFA and FIFA first, wouldn't they? There's no guarantee that such clearance would be given. I have a feeling that even if (still a big 'if') Catalunya becomes independent, La Liga will find a compromise and allow/encourage the Catalan clubs to stay, a bit like the half-dozen Welsh clubs playing in the English system or Monaco playing the French league.
 

theShiznit

Well-Known Member
Jul 26, 2004
17,800
23,813
So is the solution to let them have an official vote & encourage everyone to vote or they won't go down that route, because that would be binding?
That's the only viable solution IMO.

But the Spanish government just had no recourse other than saying it's illegal unless we say so. Probably out of fear of them voting to leave but I can't see what option they have now.

I imagine if a vote legitimised by the Spanish government does happen there will be a lot higher turnout than 40%
 

WorcesterTHFC

Well-Known Member
May 4, 2016
1,777
2,545
It wouldn’t change a thing, if you’re Catalan and support Barca then you want independence, the reason Espanyol have their name is self explanatory.
I find it a bit ironic that Espanyol use the Catalan spelling, rather than the Spanish spelling, which drops the 'y' and has that squiggly line above the 'n'. Or is the club trying to be Catalan and Spanish at the same time?
 

'O Zio

Well-Known Member
Dec 27, 2014
7,405
13,785
Even in the unlikely even that Calalunya gets independence, I highly doubt the team, especially Barca, will be going anywhere. It's in both La Liga and the club's best interests financially for things to stay as they are.

I find it a bit ironic that Espanyol use the Catalan spelling, rather than the Spanish spelling, which drops the 'y' and has that squiggly line above the 'n'. Or is the club trying to be Catalan and Spanish at the same time?

That's partly because they were trying to distance themselves from Franco and all that. Traditionally they were the team of the government officials/civil servants etc. (i.e. Franco's cronies) who were from Madrid, but based in Barcelona. They used to spell the name the Spanish way but changed it.
 

Woland

Brave™ Member
May 18, 2006
1,714
6,629
If I were Espanyol, I'd do a Cardiff. Stay in La Liga and capitalize on Catalan heritage to regain relevance and fan base.
Let Barca rot in the Catalan league with only meaningful games being in CL qualification round.

That said, independence is not happening, plus Barca will never leave La Liga either way.
 
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beats1

Well-Known Member
Feb 22, 2010
30,006
29,551
Barcelona wont leave la liga, the only way they would do it, if they could start a european super league

UEFA and La Liga love barca as they make them a lot of money
 

Trix

Well-Known Member
Jul 29, 2004
19,336
329,025
Would be interesting to see how they would vote if they were told Barca would have leave La Liga, could end up with Barca & Espanyo playing one another every week.

They could tour the world like the Harlem Globetrotters and the Washington Generals
 

punky

Gone
Sep 23, 2008
7,485
5,403
It would make a mockery out of the European League system if a club can just decide to play in a different country.

Swansea is one thing, but choosing a different league several countries across the continent is just crazy.
 

John48

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2015
2,249
3,143
Barcelona wont leave la liga, the only way they would do it, if they could start a european super league

UEFA and La Liga love barca as they make them a lot of money

Not necessarily their choice, the Spanish FA could say you're no longer Spanish, therefore, on your bike.
 

Lilbaz

Just call me Baz
Apr 1, 2005
41,363
74,893
La Liga might want them to stay but can't see the spanish government wanting them.
 

'O Zio

Well-Known Member
Dec 27, 2014
7,405
13,785
La Liga might want them to stay but can't see the spanish government wanting them.

Presumably they don't have any influence over who La Liga include in the league though? Either way, I bet they definitely will want them in the league because they generate huge money, which winds up back with the government through all the taxes etc.
 

worcestersauce

"I'm no optimist I'm just a prisoner of hope
Jan 23, 2006
26,891
45,040
They won't be allowed to split off from Spain anyway but nevertheless the idea of playing in France might not appeal to the French government, Barca has a strong support in the French Catalan area and they wouldn't want anything that might foster Catalan "unification" with Spanish Catalonia.
 

Lilbaz

Just call me Baz
Apr 1, 2005
41,363
74,893
Presumably they don't have any influence over who La Liga include in the league though? Either way, I bet they definitely will want them in the league because they generate huge money, which winds up back with the government through all the taxes etc.

Ofcourse the government has a say. They can tell them what days to play their games, it was they that brought in the new tv rights deal (that will eventually make the distribution more equal).
If the government are buthurt about catalonia leaving then they could easily tell barca to fuck off.

Not that catalonia will leave in anycase.

(By the by it was the spanish government whom decided that barca was a charity so didn't have to pay taxes).
 
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