Barcelona President Confirms Premier League Switch If Catalonia Gains Independence

Josep Maria Bartomeu and Gerard Pique

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has said that the club would have to discuss the possibility of leaving La Liga if Catalonia gained independence from Spain.

Bartomeu said Barca's future in La Liga would need to be discussed if Catalonia ever gained independence.

"This situation does not exist so far," he said on Monday.

"But with regards to things that can happen in the future, it is something that the board of directors would discuss. It would be something to analyse calmly.

"If we discuss the subject intensely then obviously we will find the best solution. But if the independence happens, the board of directors will see."

Catalonia's sport minister, Gerard Figueras, has suggested that Barca could play in the Premier League if the region secedes from Spain, citing Swansea City as an example of a club from a different country playing in England's top-flight.

“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 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,” Figueras added.

Source: Yahoo Sports.