EXCLUSIVE: Blaugrana presidential candidate Agusti Benedito tells Goal that secession would make meetings with Real even spicier than they already are
The Clasico is a fixture fuelled by much more than just football. Barcelona versus Real Madrid is all about geography, history, nationality and politics - it is Catalunya against Spain. But with Catalan independence now a growing possibility, the match-up could be even more highly charged in the future.
Barca's Mes que un club mantra means much to the team's Catalan supporters. The Blaugrana have long been a symbol of Catalan nationalism; the Camp Nou a place where fans could speak their own language, outlawed during the dreaded dictatorship of Francisco Franco, and protest against the Spanish state.
Times have changed, of course. These days, the Catalan language is thriving, while the Senyera flag (also banned during the Franco era) can be seen in every street throughout Barcelona. Nevertheless, the Catalan club remains inexorably linked to the nation, its people and their political ideology.
During home matches at Camp Nou, a large number of supporters chant for independence after 17 minutes and 14 seconds, thus remembering the year - 1714 - when Catalan troops lost a battle to the Bourbons in the War of Spanish Succession. Last year marked the 300th anniversary of that date and millions lined the streets of Barcelona on September 11th (La Diada - Catalunya's national day) in a call for independence from Spain - among them several players including Xavi and Gerard Pique, along with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu.
Catalan pride | Barcelona show off their strong nationalist ties in the Clasico
"Catalunya is experiencing a historical moment politically," presidential candidate Agusti Benedito told Goal in an exclusive interview. "There have been extraordinary demonstrations in the streets over the last few years, with what would seem to be perhaps a majority of Catalans with the will to initiate a process that could see Catalunya become an independent state."
Previous presidents Joan Laporta and Sandro Rosell have both been criticised for mixing football and politics with a strong pro-Catalan stance during their respective mandates and Benedito believes that the club should leave the question of independence to the political institutions.
Previous presidents Joan Laporta and Sandro Rosell have both been criticised for mixing football and politics with a strong pro-Catalan stance during their respective mandates and Benedito believes that the club should leave the question of independence to the political institutions.
"Barca are outside that political sphere," he said. "It is a football club - mes que un club. It is very important but it is outside of politics because, among other things, the Catalan population has no say in the private workings of the club.
"Barca has a lot of fans, but the club is not legitimised by millions of Catalans. That corresponds only to the club’s socios. Therefore my opinion is that the political process in Catalunya should be managed by the political institutions and that Barca should stand alongside the Catalan people and the decision they make."
Around 2.3 million Catalans voted in an unofficial referendum last November, with president Artur Mas now hoping to push for an official vote for independence. And one oft-debated question is what would happen to Barca if independence is achieved at some stage over the next few years.
"In a hypothetical case of Catalan independence – if that is what Catalan citizens decide – Barca would survive," Benedito said. "Political movement is one thing and the evolution of Futbol Club Barcelona is another. The political initiative will correspond to the political institutions and Barca will adapt to any new political situation that could arise."
"Barca has a lot of fans, but the club is not legitimised by millions of Catalans. That corresponds only to the club’s socios. Therefore my opinion is that the political process in Catalunya should be managed by the political institutions and that Barca should stand alongside the Catalan people and the decision they make."
Around 2.3 million Catalans voted in an unofficial referendum last November, with president Artur Mas now hoping to push for an official vote for independence. And one oft-debated question is what would happen to Barca if independence is achieved at some stage over the next few years.
"In a hypothetical case of Catalan independence – if that is what Catalan citizens decide – Barca would survive," Benedito said. "Political movement is one thing and the evolution of Futbol Club Barcelona is another. The political initiative will correspond to the political institutions and Barca will adapt to any new political situation that could arise."
Meanwhile, the notion that Barca would have to play in an all-Catalan league alongside teams like Espanyol, Girona, Lleida and Nastic Tarragona seems far-fetched.
"I believe that Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and the strongest teams in the Spanish league would have a big interest in continuing to compete against Barca," Benedito said. "And it is my understanding that Barca, in an independent Catalunya, wouldn't be the first example of a team playing in a league organised by a different federation. The federations are private organisations and bodies."
Such a scenario would likely add political spice to Barca's participation in La Liga and the Clasico - already the world's greatest game - would have an added attraction.
"The interest in a Barca-Madrid in a hypothetical independent Catalan state would be even greater," Benedito added. Imagine a Madrid-Barca in an independent Catalunya - it would be huge."
Perhaps the greatest rivalry in world football already, the Clasico could conceivably be about to get even bigger.
Such a scenario would likely add political spice to Barca's participation in La Liga and the Clasico - already the world's greatest game - would have an added attraction.
"The interest in a Barca-Madrid in a hypothetical independent Catalan state would be even greater," Benedito added. Imagine a Madrid-Barca in an independent Catalunya - it would be huge."
Perhaps the greatest rivalry in world football already, the Clasico could conceivably be about to get even bigger.
