CATALONIAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SIGNATURE

http://www.marca.com/2012/10/07/en/football/barcelona/1349642354.html?a=PR8c75c8d13eec5b332993be21de575808b&t=1349723605

Mosaic of the national colours and cries for independence in minute 17

Huge clamour at Camp Nou for Catalonian independence

10/07/2012

 

The large majority of the almost 100,000 supporters who this Sunday filled Camp Nou to watch the 'Clasico' between Barcelona FC and Real Madrid in the seventh La Liga encounter, shouted for Catalonian independence 17 minutes and 14 seconds into the first half during a match with several politically significant actions such as, the large 'Senyera' Catalan flag on the terraces that greeted both teams.

The moment arrived – symbolic for the 11 September 1714, Catalonia Day, when Barcelona fell in the War of Succession - and the spectators began chanting 'In, inde, independència' and waved thousands of 'Senyeras' and 'Esteladas' (Catalan independence flags) as called for by various quarters over recent days, among them the Catalan National Assembly (ANC).

Prior to the match, the fans were already singing for independence and the 'Blaugrana' stadium was decorated with a giant mosaic featuring the 'Senyera' and the word 'Barça' made up of 98,000 coloured cards that was displayed when the players took to the pitch and while Barça's anthem was played over the loudspeaker. A banner could also be seen featuring the slogan 'Catalonia next European state'.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

HOW OUR FOOTBALL SOCCER TEAMS ARE DOING IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE.
 

2012-13

Grupo B

Clasificación		P.J.	P.G.	P.E.	P.P.	G.F.	G.C.	Ptos
1	Arsenal	2	2	0	0	5	2	6
2	Schalke 04	2	1	1	0	4	3	4
3	MONTPEHLIER	2	0	1	1	3	4	1
4	Olympiacos	2	0	0	2	2	5	0

Grupo F

Clasificación		P.J.	P.G.	P.E.	P.P.	G.F.	G.C.	Ptos
1	Bate Borisov	2	2	0	0	6	2	6
2	Bayern Múnich	2	1	0	1	3	4	3
3	VALENCIA	2	1	0	1	3	2	3
4	Lille	2	0	0	2	1	5	0

Grupo G

Clasificación		P.J.	P.G.	P.E.	P.P.	G.F.	G.C.	Ptos
1	BARCELONA	2	2	0	0	5	2	6
2	Celtic Glasgow	2	1	1	0	3	2	4
3	Benfica	2	0	1	1	0	2	1
4	Spartak Moscú	2	0	0	2	4	6	0

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING PYRENEANS

http://www.marca.com/2012/10/04/en/football/barcelona/1349339197.html

Two possible loopholes to keep club in Spanish league

Barça could stay in La Liga despite Catalan independence

Ramón Fuentes 10/04/2012

 

If Catalonia were to gain independence from Spain it would mean that FC Barcelona would have to leave the LFP (National Professional Football League) with immediate effect. While the matter may be a distant possibility that has not been studied by both the LFP and the RFEF (Royal Spanish Football Federation), the regulations on the issue are clear and concise. However, there may be a solution.

In order to be able to participate in official competitions in Spain, football clubs must be affiliated to the Spanish Football Federation through their corresponding territorial Federations.

There would be two regulation escape routes for Barça which would allow the club to continue being affiliated by the Spanish Football Federation and thus continue playing in La Liga. One of these options would be to become affiliated in a territorial Federation in Catalonia. This option comes under regulation as something exceptional that would have to be approved by the Board of the RFEF. In other words, the club would be able to participate in La Liga, affiliated to the Federations of Aragon, Valencia or any other zone.

However, this is not the only alternative. The other option would be to benefit from the exceptional situation that the Principality of Andorra has, which allows participation in the Spanish league. The Andorra side currently plays in the Segunda División B. This option would therefore be feasible, as Catalonia, despite being an independent country, depends on sport in relation to Spanish legislation and its Federation.

UPS AND DOWNS OF THE PYRENEAN FOOTBALLER

THE UPS AND DOWNS OF THE PYRENEAN FOOTBALLER JAVI MARTINEZ. IT LOOKS LIKE HE FINALLY LANDED A JOB IN MUNICH.

Bayern Munich completed the $50m signing of Nabarran midfielder Javi Martinez from Athletic Bilbao, on Wednesday.

no_source / Scott Heavey/Getty Images 

Javi Martinez signed a five-year deal with Bayern Munich, who landed the Athletic Bilbao midfielder for a Bundesliga-record $50 million transfer fee.

Martinez, part of the victorious Spain squad at the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championship, had a $50m release fee in his Bilbao contract, but was required to pay the amount himself, which created huge tax liabilities for the player and complications for the German club.

Bayern's chairman Karl-Heinz Rummennigge described the transfer as "very complicated" and accused Bilbao of "refusing to cooperate from the very first day" of negotiations.  "We've had tax and legal problems to solve over the last few days, but fortunately we've succeeded," he said.

"The player has made an indirect contribution by foregoing a large sum of his salary. Our management is convinced the player will do very well with us," he added.

Despite being only 23, Martinez has made 201 appearances for Athletic Bilbao and was a key member of the side that enjoyed a surprise run to the final of last season's Europa League. The Basque native can play in central midfield, or as a center-back.

"Bayern are one of the best teams in Europe, and the whole world," Martinez told the club's website. "There are so many top players here, all of them fantastic footballers. That's hugely motivating for me. And naturally, I'm looking to win trophies,"

MORTAL CAR ACCIDENT IN THE NEW ROUND ABOUT OF FEDA.

Sunday, July 15th, 2012.

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EL PERIÒDIC
ENCAMP

Air view of the round about where the accident took place.

A Portuguese man lost his life in a car accident in the main round about of Andorra on Sunday.

He hopes to play for Osasuna before he retires

Javi Martínez: "I can't see myself playing for Barcelona"

RAFAEL BEATO. BILBAO 07/12/2012

 

 

Javi Martínez has finally put an end to all of the speculation over his future: "I can't see myself playing for Barcelona. I'm not thinking about that. I'm very happy at Athletic. To be honest, I see myself at Athletic until 2016, which is when my contract runs out," he said in front of the Antena 3 TV cameras.

The player from Navarre assures that he has not taken much notice of everything that has been said about him: "I've kept out of it. I've seen a few newspapers and what they say on the telly, but they don't always get it right. If we listened to everything they say, I would have played for several different clubs by now. They come out with a new one each week. You have to take it with a pinch of salt because so many rumours can get to you in the end."

Nor has he taken much notice of all of the turmoil which broke out between Bielsa and the club over the works: "I don't really know what has happened, but what's best for everyone is what's happening now, which is that everything's going back to normal; the boss is doing what he does best, which is coaching. There's been some tension, but it's died down. Bielsa is amongst the top three or four coaches in the world. He's very good and you just have to look at how we've played this year. Lots of people in Spain have got behind Athletic this season because of how we've played. They've told us that they're very proud of us."

MORE FOOBALL SOCCER PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD TRYING TO GET THE PYRENEAN PLAYER FOR NEXT SEASON.

Keita'’s departure rocks new manager’'s plans

http://www.marca.com/2012/07/09/en/football/barcelona/1341820526.html

Javi Martínez tops Vilanova wish-list

SERGI FONT/ Barcelona 07/09/2012

Tito Vilanova and Andoni Zubizarreta will have to move quickly to decide on what strategy to adopt after Seydou Keita's departure. The new manager had previously announced that Barça only needed to bring in a right-back and a centre-half. Having sealed the signing of Jordi Alba, he had €26 million left in the kitty to reinforce his back line, but the Malian midfielder’s decision to seek pastures new has raised question marks about the club’s transfer policy this summer.
The first choice, albeit the trickiest deal to strike, would be to sign Javi Martínez. The Bilbao player fits the bill perfectly, as he would provide cover for both positions and would have no trouble adapting. The stumbling block is the price, as the Basque club is not willing to accept a penny less than his release clause, which stands at €40 million.
All things considered, Barça may choose to only sign someone in one of the two positions and rely on the youth set-up, a philosophy that has borne fruit in recent years. Two possible options to replace Keita are Jonathan Dos Santos, who has passed on the chance to play at the Olympics in order to spend pre-season training with the club, and Sergi Roberto.
Zubizaretta has, nevertheless, drawn up a list of other potential targets. With Thiago Silva and Vertonghen out of the picture, Vermaelen, Hummels and Subotic are all possibilities at centre-back. The club is keeping tabs on Capoue, M’Vila, Cabaye and Bruno Soriano for the holding midfielder role.