Barcelona’s status in La Liga is secondary to the right of the Catalonian people to express themselves in a vote, according to Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola.
The pro-independence parties won an absolute majority in the regional elections, and the separatists insist the victory gives them a clear mandate to form an independent state in the region, which has about 7.5 million people.
The 78 percent turnout was a record for a regional vote in Catalonia. Despite the victory of parliamentary majority, the separatists got 47.8 percent of the votes cast.
“What is important is that the people could vote, not whether Barcelona can or cannot remain in La Liga. People vote for personal and economic reasons — because they want to change their situation,” Guardiola during Monday’s news conference ahead of Bayern’s Champions League match against Dinamo Zagreb.
“Whether or not Barcelona remains in the Spanish league is a question that would be part of the next steps. It would not be good for Barcelona, nor would it be good for La Liga.”
Last week, the president of the Spanish Sports Council (CSD) accused Guardiola of the voter manipulation after he backed Catalan independence in a Junts pel Si (Together for Yes) party video.
“Catalonia has spoken,” Guardiola added. “There was nearly 80 percent voter turnout. The majority of parliament favors it [independence]. We will have to see what happens.
“The important thing is that the people were allowed to vote without any issues and they have been able to say what they want. Now the politicians must respond.”
