Joan Laporta refuses to rule out Barcelona joining Ligue 1 if Catalonia gains independence
Former Barcelona president Joan Laporta has remained positive that the Spanish champions will not disassociate themselves with La Liga should Catalonia gain independence, as per reports on ESPN. However, Laporta has not ruled out the possibilities of them joining France’s Ligue 1 if the club’ s home region become an independent entity.
The move for Catalan independence is slowly gaining momentum and the prospect of the European champions withdrawing from Spanish top flight has been brought into focus again. The pro-secessionist coalition won 48 percent of the popular vote in September’s regional elections in Catalonia and holds a majority of the seats in the regional parliament.
Earlier this year, La Liga president Javier Tebas had warned the club that they would no longer be able to participate in the competition if the club’s home region becomes an independent entity. Former club president Joan Laporta has addressed the uncertainties of the club in the near future and had ruled out Barca’s decision to disassociate themselves with the Spanish League.
However, he has laid stress on the Spanish FA’ s decision and has stated that wanting to quit the league and give up on exciting clashes against arch rivals Real Madrid would serve as a huge loss to world football.
“I don't think so because the Spanish league is very interesting with Barcelona and Real Madrid,” he said.
“The Clasico is of great value to La Liga and I think all of us will be very intelligent together in order to maintain the status quo of the Iberian league between the states of Catalonia and Spain.”
“With humility, I'd say that Barca are too strong and if the Spanish league don't want Barca I think we will be able to play in several nearby leagues like the French, the Italian or the Premier League.”
“It's difficult but you [France] have the case of Monaco and Spain has the case of Andorra.”
“It's not difficult to convince UEFA or FIFA that, with an independent Catalonia, Barca could play in a major league like the French one or others.”
“But I think that the most intelligent thing would be to maintain the Clasico.”
Barca is Catalonia’s most important sporting institution: Laporta
Laporta has admitted that talk of Barcelona leaving the Spanish league is being used for political purposes in the wider debate on independence.
“Exactly, it's a political strategy,” he said.
“Barca is very important for Catalonia - it's the most important sporting institution.”
“A lot of Catalans are supporters of Barca, which is kind of like a Catalonian national team.”
“I'd be very happy to arrive at the point of asking whether Barca will play in the Spanish league or in another because that would mean that Catalonia would be an independent state.”