Identity and Society of FC

Barcelona FCB’s identity

•  FC Barcelona: More than a club in Cataloniaʼs road to independenceThe Guardian, 2012#

Xavi Hernández and Piqué in “La Diada” 2014#

2013  

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

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”.#

Identity and Society of FC

Barcelona FCB’s identity

•  In 1973 it was created the slogan “més que un club” (more than a club).##

“What does ‘més que un club’means?

“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

Identity and Society of FC

Barcelona FCB’s identity

•  Results from a poll conducted in 2009 (CIS) about RM and FCB fans:#

Political views among RM and FCB fans#1

50%  

13,7%  

21%  

41%  

Real  Madrid   FC  Barcelona  

Democrats  

Republicans  

“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

60%  

38%  

40%  

62%  

Real  Madrid   FC  Barcelona  

Non-­‐religious  

Catholic  

Religious beliefs among RM and FCB fans#2

“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

Identity and Society of FC

Barcelona FCB’s identity

•  FC Barcelona has great ambassadorial qualities. It is a brand globally recognized.#

Identity and Society of FC

Barcelona FCB’s identity

•  How can FC Barcelona redress the balance of its local and global significance?##

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

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

Is wearing Qatarʼs name on the shirt compatible#with FCBʼs self-proclaimed values?#

The  land  of  FCB  Qatar  slaves  

3