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Catalan independence vote could determine Barcelona, Espanyol's top flight fate

Reuters

President of La Liga Javier Tebas issued a stern warning Tuesday that Catalan clubs such as Barcelona and Espanyol will be prevented from competing in Spain's top tier if the region votes in favour of independence.

Andorra is currently the only non-Spanish territory that's permitted to compete in the league, and current rules would have to be altered if Catalan clubs want to compete following secession.

The government in the Catalan region is pro-independence and will hold a non-binding referendum Nov. 9, despite Spain's parliament vetoing the territory's request to hold an official referendum in April.

Tebas outlined that Spain's reaction to secession could lead to a rule change, depending on whether they agree with Catalan becoming an independent territory or not.

"For such a modification to be given the go-ahead, we’d have to wait and see if the affected sector would agree to such a change," Tebas said, as reported by the Associated Press.

Barcelona fans have voiced their support of an independent state by parading the Catalan flags in the stands. The club itself even has an alternate jersey with the Catalan colours.

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