Can Catalonian Football have it's cake and eat it?

The Regional Politicians of the Catalonian Parliament in Barcelona are making noises in the hope that a referendum later this year will herald the birth of Europe's newest nation.  However, the Spanish Political Establishment in Madrid has a rather different perspective on the very legitimacy of such a referendum.  But where does this debate leave the future of Catalonian Football and that of one of World Football's most prestigious club contests- El Classico (Barcelona v Real Madrid)?

Last year's accession of Gibraltar to UEFA membership, could in theory mean that Catalonia does not even need to become independent of Spain to join UEFA itself.  As things stand currently, the Catalans do have their own football team who play an annual friendly game, normally during La Liga Christmas break.  Although UEFA rules may now appear to suggest that UEFA membership could only now be available to Sovereign Jurisdictions, a high profile debate on Catalonian membership (as a non-sovereign country) could be very testing for UEFA.  How can it be possible for a territory with a population of just thirty thousand people (in the case of Gibraltar) be allowed membership, yet another territory with a population of over seven million people be denied?

The current President of FC Barcelona appears to be of the view that Barca will be able to remain in Spanish Football, regardless of what happens to Catalonia politically.  There are precedents to suggest this may happen: AS Monaco compete in the French League, FC Andorra play in the Spanish League System, and several Welsh sides compete in the English League Structure.  It is true that there are differences between each of these cases mentioned.  Also, recent manoeuvring between the French Socialist Government and AS Monaco on taxation matters will serve a warning to the Spanish FA of permitting membership to a club from a neighbouring jurisdiction, particularly if there is a sharp contrast in tax arrangements.

So ultimately can Catalonian Football have it's cake and eat it?  Ultimately the answer can only be yes.  Barcelona will continue to play in Spain whether Catalonia remains as it is, whether a non-sovereign Catalonian UEFA membership scenario ensues, or whether Catalonia does indeed emerge from November's referendum as an independent country.  In the case of a Catalonian non-sovereign UEFA membership scenario, the case of FC Barcelona will be in many cases similar to that of the Welsh clubs; all UEFA membership would stipulate is that Catalonia needs to set up it's own national league.  Should Catalonia become independent, it is highly unlikely that Catalonia would become a tax haven like Monaco is.  But the main reason why Barca would remain in La Liga is the rest of Spanish Football.  The financial implications for the majority of La Liga (including Real Madrid) would surely be too significant, wouldn't they?