The political role of FC Barcelona in modern Catalonia

This bachelor's degree thesis deals with the political role of FC Barcelona in modern Catalonia a its reaction to the 2017 independence referendum. The timeline of the work is from the year 2012 till 2017. The main data is gathered from the club's online media and other international media. The beginning chapters consist of nationalism and nationalism in sport and then its connection to football. It is followed by a quick political review of Catalonia in the analysed years and the relationship between FC Barcelona and Catalonia throughout history. The thesis focuses on relation between an apolitical subject such as a football club and a stateless region and its role in the independence fight. The result is that the club stands in a neutral position towards politics, but it works with many other organisations with the aim of spreading the Catalan culture and overall situation worldwide. The fans of the club with their nationalistic flags also spread the fight with the help of televised matches. FC Barcelona supported the referendum but without favouring any side. This neutral stance towards politics is described only as a defence of democracy and the freedom of speech. These are the values the club showed throughout its history and now swears to continue in the same way