Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has admitted that the Catalan giants might consider leaving La Liga if their region votes for independence.

Catalonia’s controversial referendum, which took place on Sunday, saw 2.2m people vote despite Madrid claiming the ballot was illegal. 90% allegedly called for independence.

If this happens, Bartomeu has confirmed that Barcelona FC may look to leave La Liga and join a neighbouring league, such as the Premiership.

“This situation does not exist so far,” Bartomeu said.

“But with regards to things that can happen in the future, it is something that the board of directors would discuss. It would be something to analyse calmly.

“If we discuss the subject intensely then obviously we will find the best solution. But if this [independence] happens, the board of directors will see.”

The violence caused by the referendum meant that Barca had to play their clash against Las Palmas behind closed doors.

The La Liga giants will join the rest of the region in their strike over the police violence that’s arisen by not training on Tuesday.

barcelona behind closed doors
BARCELONA, SPAIN – OCTOBER 01: Players of FC Barcelona celebrate after Lionel Messi scored their team’s second goal during the La Liga match between Barcelona and Las Palmas at Camp Nou on October 1, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. The match is being played with empty stands after the events occured in Catalonia during the voting of a Catalonia independence referendum declared illegal and undemocratic by the Spanish government. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

However, Arsene Wenger believes that the Premier League will welcome Scottish clubs before they allow Barcelona to join.

“If Barcelona want to join the Premier League it makes it even more difficult to win the title,” he said.

“But I didn’t think they are as far as that. It’s interesting because it’s a development that will have an influence on the sporting side.

“Barcelona is a highly political club and it’s interesting to see how they respond.

“We have enough clubs here. 20 and they want to go up to 24. Before we have to welcome the Scottish clubs before we go to the Spanish ones.”

If Barca were to join another country’s league, which seems unlikely, it wouldn’t happen overnight. It would be not only be down to Catalan clubs, including Espanyol and Girona, whether they actually wanted to move country but also down to the English FA.

Introducing a massive club that Barca to our league would be a big deal. It would bring tonnes of money but also dilute the competitiveness of what many hail as the best league in the world for that reason.