President Of Catalan Organization Says Barcelona Could Choose Where It Plays

Catalan Union of Sports Federations President Gerard Esteva said that Barcelona "would have the luxury of deciding" which league it wanted to play in should Catalonia "become an independent state," according to MARCA. There "have long been rumblings and some desire for the region to gain independence from Spain," with many of Barcelona's players, supporters and backroom staff "supporting a vote for independence." Esteva: "At an economic level, we have studies that show that Catalan federations could have up to €93 million ($111M) per year more as an independent state. If Catalonia left Spain, then Barcelona would have the luxury of choosing which league they wanted to play in." La Liga President Javier Tebas, however, "has maintained that the club could not play" in La Liga should Catalonia become an independent state, explaining that "a rule change would be required and that it would have to be passed through parliament" (MARCA, 9/6).