The futbol club Barcelona as it is well known is basically FC Barcelona and barca. This is a recognized football team and has its base in Catalonia, region of Spain. This team has become a symbol of Catalan nationalism, due its great success and of course the popularity rather its craze among the people. The team has an inspiring motto "Mes que un club" which simply means "more than a club".
On November 29, 1899 was this popular club started by Joan Gamper. Joan Gamper was a football freak from Switzerland and he himself didn't know that his dream team would get so well-known among the people and would have such a big fan following.
There is a Catalan word called cules which means 'asses' is used for the fans of the club. This funny name originated in the mid twenties by the Barca fans when they sat in the top row of the football ground with their ass was apparent to the passersby. Under Franco's dictatorship, the team's name was forcibly changed to Club de Futbol Barcelona in 1939 and the Catalan symbols and language was banned too . The flag of Catalan was also removed from the club's shield. During Franco's regime the stadium remained the ultimate place where the language of Catalan could be spoken freely and the flag could be displayed as well.
FC Barcelona and Real Madrid are the two most thriving and well-known Spanish teams but as well they are ferocious opponents on and off the stadium. The real Madrid became the symbol of nationalism and favored the regime of Franco whereas Barca opposed Franco and that was when the rivalry started. This competition started back in the past but still leaves its mark. Under the coaching of Salvador Artigas the barcas beat Real Madrid in 1968.
The ground of Barca, constructed in 1957 was known as the Camp Nou. It is Europe's largest and world's third largest stadium with a capacity of 98,000. It was a great achievement for Barca and few unforgettable matches were played at the ground.
In 1974; the club got its old name back. From the beginning the club has stayed with its principal of not advertising on the uniform for the corporate sponsors unlike other teams. The team agreed to advertise on its uniform only in 14 July, 2006 for a noble cause. The club proclaimed an agreement with the UNICEF which is an international group to help youngsters. EUR1.5 million per year is donated by the team to the organization.
It's obligatory for all the players to learn the Catalan language as per the president of the club Mr. Joan Laporta who is a proclaimed nationalist himself. In fact a portion from the ticket sale from the matches between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid is donated to Federacio Llull. It is an institution which promotes the Catalan language.
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