The role of FCB in the Catalan society

1. Identity and
Society of FC
Barcelona
FCB’s identity
• FC Barcelona: More than a club
in Cataloniaʼs road to
independence
The Guardian, 2012#

2. Xavi Hernández and Piqué in “La Diada” 2014#
2013

3. Pep Guardiola voting in the November 2014 referendum for the independence of Catalonia#

4. Identity and
Society of FC
Barcelona
FCB’s identity
• During Francoʼs dictatorship Catalans were not allowed to name their kids in their
language.#
• In 1974 when Johan Cruyff arrived to FCB he named his newborn Jordi, patron
saint of Catalonia, challenging the Spanish authorities. 10 days later FCB
defeated RM 0-5. “A victory against Franco”.#

5. Identity and
Society of FC
Barcelona
FCB’s identity
• In 1973 it was created the slogan “més que un club” (more than a club).#
#

6. “What does ‘més que un club’means?

7. “FCB is Catalonia’s an unarmed symbolic army”
“Barcelona owes its meaning to the historic disasters of
Catalonia since the 17th Century, in perpetual civil war, whether
armed or metaphorical, with the Spanish state”
Manuel Vázquez-Montalbán, writer

8. Identity and
Society of FC
Barcelona
FCB’s identity
• Results from a poll conducted in 2009 (CIS) about RM and FCB fans:#

9. Political views among RM and FCB fans#
1
50%
13,7%
21%
41%
Real
Madrid
FC
Barcelona
Democrats
Republicans

10. “Real Madrid has at its heart a contradiction. It represents
Spanish nationalism and the Spanish Establishment, the right. But
at the same time, it is the most popular club in Spain.
People used to say to me: ‘how can a left-winger like you work
for Real Madrid?’ And I always said: ‘you show me a left-wing
club’. Barcelona represents Catalonia but at board level it is also
a right-wing vision of Catalonia”
Angel Cappa, former Real Madrid assistant coach

11. 60%
38%
40%
62%
Real
Madrid
FC
Barcelona
Non-­‐religious
Catholic
Religious beliefs among RM and FCB fans#
2

12. “Real Madrid is a football club that has defined its social
relevance through its results. Real Madrid is as great as the
number of titles it has won and the number of star players it has
seduced to become part of its history. Barcelona’s identity has
more to do with the size of its enemy which represents a
centralist force, and that gives Barcelona a dimension which is
not just sporting but political and which is provides it with a
tremendous social power. Madrid’s social power starts and ends
with football”
Jorge Valdano, former Real Madrid player and coach

13. Identity and
Society of FC
Barcelona
FCB’s identity
• FC Barcelona has great ambassadorial qualities. It is a brand globally
recognized.#

15. Identity and
Society of FC
Barcelona
FCB’s identity
• How can FC Barcelona redress the balance of its local and global significance?#
#

16. Should they cherish their homegrown players or #
buy the best ones in the market? #1

17. How can they become a global brand #
without forgetting their regional identity?#2

18. Is wearing Qatarʼs name on the shirt compatible#
with FCBʼs self-proclaimed values?#
The
land
of
FCB
Qatar
slaves
3