Barça's message that caused a stir on Hispanic Heritage Day
The club, from its Catalan profile on social media, has shared a flag coinciding with October 12
BarcelonaIn short. Just six words: "Long live Barça and long live Catalonia." This is the message that presides over a flag and a banner with the Barça colors and the club crest that the club shared on social media this morning from its Catalan profile—which is available in several languages. So far, nothing would be unusual. What has caused a stir is that several Spanish-speaking users and profiles have protested the club's tweeting of this kind on October 12, coinciding with Hispanic Heritage Day.
They question things like "football and politics should be separated" or that "Barça has many fans outside of Catalonia" and don't understand why the club would share this message with such symbolic significance on Hispanic Heritage Day. Similarly, many users and profiles, most of them in Catalan, but not only in Catalan, but from all over the world, have celebrated Barça's sharing of a message like this today and have defended that "Barça is a Catalan club and of Catalonia."
The club's policy regarding the Catalan language
On the other hand, it must be clear that "FC Barcelona's own language is Catalan and, as such, it is the one normally and preferentially used in all club activities." This is the sixth article of the club's statutes. Although the Blaugrana entity has a universal impact with thousands upon thousands of followers across the planet and more than 1,200 supporters' clubs spread across the globe, the official language is Catalan.
Barça's policy regarding the use of Catalan is clear. "It is the club's primary language; we normalize the use of Catalan and we believe in it. We have approximately eleven million followers in Catalan-speaking territories. We also have followers all over the world [the club counts them at around 400 million] and, for example, on the website and on social media we have channels in several languages." a source from the board explained to ARA.
As for members, a very high percentage reside in Catalonia and speak or understand Catalan. The Catalan language is also present in the club's channels and media, formerly Barça TV and now on the digital platform Barça One. "Barça is surely the most universal entity in Catalonia, and it is a gateway to making it known that Catalan is our language."
In this regard, the club maintains collaboration agreements with entities that safeguard the Catalan language, such as Òmnium, Plataforma por la Lengua, and Accent Obert (formerly known as the puntCAT Foundation). Regarding the arrival of new athletes, they are informed about the cultural and linguistic reality of Catalonia and offered the opportunity to learn Catalan. If the athlete specifically requests it, the club's human resources department offers them the possibility of taking classes, either at the Ciutat Esportiva or at their homes.
In the schooling of players who live at La Masia and who have come from outside, an attempt is also made to prioritize Catalan. A good example is Fermín López, who is originally from El Campillo (Andalusia) and not only understands Catalan, but also speaks it.