French Prime Minister offers Barcelona place in Ligue One

BARCELONA could play their football in France after an offer from French leader Manuel Valls.

The prime minister, and self-confessed Barca fan, suggested the Catalan giants could play in Ligue 1 if the region votes for independence.

The European champions have been warned by La Liga chief Javier Tebas that they would be turfed out the division in the event of a vote for Catalan independence.

Valls said: “Monaco play in Ligue One, so why not Barcelona?

“I’m a huge football fan, a Barça fan. They’re in my blood. France knows it and they ask me about it on the streets.”

Last month’s regional elections showed nearly half of all Catalans supported separatist parties.

And with a general election on December 20, Catalan independence is at the forefront of current political debate.

Tebas said: “If Catalunya became independent, taking into consideration the Sports Law that would be enforced by the rest of Spain, Barcelona wouldn’t be allowed to play.”