Barcelona and Lionel Messi could play in the English league if Catalunya gains independence from Spain - Sports minister says

Ahead of a very important referendum set to be staged on
Sunday which will give the right to Catalunya to be
recognised as a sovereign nation independent of Spain, the
region's Sports minister has stated that Barcelona, along
with Girona and Espanyol could join the English premier
league, Italian league or start up their own league if they
gain independence from Spain just the same way Welsh and
Monaco clubs are allowed to play in the Epl and French
league respectively.


Catalans, Barca player, Gerard Pique a very vocal member,
have decided to stage the referendum this weekend even
though the Spanish government has seized ballot boxes,
claimed the voting will never happen and called the process
'Illegal'.
Gerard Figueras, the Catalunya sports minister, believes
that there are plenty of decisions to make when they gain
independence from Spain
"Elite clubs would choose between challenging in a Catalan
league or in a foreign league," Figueras told Goal.com
"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."


“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.”
The leadership of Spain's La Liga reacting to Figueras'
statement has warned the Catalans that if they succeed with
their independence agitation they won't be able to play in
the La Liga again, but he hopes it doesn't come to that.
Liga president Javier Tebas said: “In sport, it isn't a la carte
and things must be clearly stated. It isn't easy to have an
agreement and study Spanish legislation but if they [the
Catalan clubs] do get that, then they will not be able to play
in Spain's La Liga, but I hope it doesn't come to that."