Barcelona Is A Free Nation, Says Club Presidential Candidate

The hopeful is rallying his supporters...

As the race for the Barcelona presidential position heats up, Xavier Sala-i-Martin has grabbed the headlines with his latest campaign statements.

The noted economist, who has served under Joan Laporta in a financial capacity, said: "My nomination will ensure the continuity of the current successful model.

"Barcelona is a democracy. It's a free nation, and yet it's more than a nation because it's also a football club."

Sala-i-Martin is considered one of the favourites in his bid to succeed Joan Laporta, whose tenure expires this year.