Pep Guardiola Votes on Catalan Independence Amid Barcelona La Liga Exit Talk

Catalonia's bid for independence from Spain may have received a significant boost after it was revealed former Barcelona player and manager Pep Guardiola had voted on the campaign on Thursday.

Spanish newspaper AS reported the Bayern Munich manager had cast his ballot and claimed he voted in favour of the referendum, which would see the Catalan territories secede from Spain if successful. AS also notes "pro-independence parties have formed a unified group Junts pel Si (Together for yes), in which Pep Guardiola is participating."

His stance has not been welcomed by Spain's secretary of state for sport, Miguel Cardenal, however, who has told Spanish news agency DPA that Guardiola's position is a result of "mass manipulation," per Spanish newspaper Marca:

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It's the biggest case of mass manipulation I've ever seen. I don't know if it's intentional or not, but Guardiola has been participating in it since the moment he became a candidate and he made the video that seems to mean everyone who has signed thinks the same as him.

I'd like to ask Guardiola to consider the manipulation that he's been involved in and come out in defence of the freedom of his sporting colleagues who've been used against their will, and in many cases, against what they actually think.

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Guardiola represented the Spain national team on 45 occasions and played several friendlies for the Catalan national team, as have numerous current and former members of the Blaugrana.

The 44-year-old won the La Liga crown on six occasions as a player, but LFP president Javier Tebas has stated Barcelona would be prevented from competing in the Spanish top flight should Catalonia gain independence, per Sandra del Estal of AS:

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I made my position clear some months ago. I have not spoken about the issue of independence, which is a sensitive one and not something to be discussed at the assembly. I have not spoken about a league without Barcelona. I do not think it will happen because Catalonia will continue to be a part of Spain. [In the case of independence] Catalan clubs would not be able to play in La Liga because the Sports law prohibits it.

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Tebas did add that "we would all lose" if Barcelona were to split from La Liga as a result of the referendum, but that potential threat doesn't appear to deter Guardiola in his voting approach.

Current Barca manager Luis Enrique has professed to being a neutral party in the matter, as one who currently has interests vested both in Barcelona and the Spanish league as a collective, per Barcastuff:

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Luis Enrique: "Worried about influence result Catalan elections could have on Barcelona taking part in Liga? I'm totally apolitical."

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) September 19, 2015"

Speaking to Catalan newspaper El Punt Avui earlier this week, Guardiola insisted his native Catalonia will "be much better with independence," according to AS.

Furthermore, Squawka provided quotes from the tactician, who said he would have represented the Catalan national side (instead of Spain) during his playing years had there been one in competition:

Seeing a figure so respected as Guardiola backing the "Yes" vote may have a dramatic impact on others entering their names in the ballot, showing that even those in the spotlight aren't afraid of change.

As told by South American broadcaster Juan Arango, Barca centre-back Gerard Pique has been among the most vocal players regarding the referendum, earning some controversial attention from certain Spanish fans in the process:

It's difficult to envision La Liga without Barcelona, who have won five of the last seven league titles and have failed to finish lower than third place for the past 12 consecutive seasons, dating back to 2003.

Guardiola would nevertheless see Catalonia separate from their neighbours should the election on Sunday, Sept. 27, be successful, with many likely to follow the lead of such an esteemed Barcelona name.