Barcelona are open to joining the Premier League, just as Celtic and Rangers have been for some time.
FC Barcelona’s president Josep Maria Bartomeu arrives to give a press conference at the Camp Nou stadium.
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has confirmed that the football club would be open to the idea of joining the Premier League if Catalonia gains independence from Spain.
More than 90 percent of Catalans voted recently to have a referendum on the state becoming independent and Bartomeu says Barca would be open to joining one of Europe’s other top leagues.
Lionel Messi of Barcelona celebrates scoring his side’s third goal with Ousmane Dembele of Barcelona and Luis Suarez.
“This situation does not exist so far,” he was quoted by the Sun.
“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 this [independence] happens, the board of directors will see.”
Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid CF heads the ball beside Mario Hermoso of RCD Espanyol.
Espanyol and Girona are the other clubs currently in the Spanish league pyramid that would be affected by independence and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger spoke about the proposal following his side’s 2-0 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion.
“If Barcelona want to join the Premier League, it makes things even more difficult for everybody,” Wenger was quoted by Goal. “But I don’t think they have gotten as far as that.
“It is interesting and there will be incidents on the sporting side as Barcelona are a highly political club.
“We have enough clubs here with 20 but if you want to go up to 24, we have to invite the Scottish clubs before we go for the Spanish.”
Wenger is referring to the fact that it has long been mooted that Scottish clubs could join the English divisions – in particular Celtic and Rangers.
SPFL chief Neil Doncaster admitted earlier in 2017 that UEFA are becoming more open to the idea of a cross-border competition involving both Scottish and English teams.
“Nobody knows as we don’t have a crystal ball, but there is a willingness to embrace the concept of cross-border football,” Doncaster told the Sun.
“There is an appetite for further cross-border competition including at league level across Europe and we are well positioned.”
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