Barcelona is more than a football club: literally it is because it is involved in other sports as is often the case in continental Europe. But more than that is a symbol of Catalan nationalism and is linked to memories of the Republican side in the Spanish civil war.
It is also held up as an example of how fans can own and run a club. Unfortunately, this seems to have led to massive and almost unmanageable debts which is why Barca has had to compromise its principles and accept a lucrative shirt sponsorship deal from the Qatar Foundation.
Barcelona is more than a football club: literally it is because it is involved in other sports as is often the case in continental Europe. But more than that is a symbol of Catalan nationalism and is linked to memories of the Republican side in the Spanish civil war.
It is also held up as an example of how fans can own and run a club. Unfortunately, this seems to have led to massive and almost unmanageable debts which is why Barca has had to compromise its principles and accept a lucrative shirt sponsorship deal from the Qatar Foundation.
The Spanish sports newspapers have been running instant polls to test the reaction of fans. Mundo Deportivo polled 3,487 fans and found 53 per cent in favour and 47 per cent against. Sport got a very similar result from a poll of 7,928 fans with 52 per cent in favour and 48 per cent against.
A typical reaction from the anti camp is represented by a quote from fan José Miguel Cabezas: ‘Something doesn’t seem quite right about this deal. The shirt has always been clean. Now they are going to turn it into a Formula One shirt just for the money.’
There have been allegations that the deal had its origins in collusion between Spain-Portugal and Qatar over World Cup bids. However, Fifa investigated these allegations with unusual alacrity and found them to be without foundation.
The fact of the matter is that Barca are broke. New president Sandro Rossell opened talks with the Qatar Foundation through business contacts in the Gulf in August. No one can deny that he has hit pay dirt big time but the image of Barcelona may never be the same.