Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said that it is "important" that the people of Catalonia get a chance to vote on independence from Spain.
A referendum on the issue had been scheduled for October 1 but has been blocked by the Spanish government, leading to widespread protests and unrest in the region, which includes Barcelona.
Former Barca manager Guardiola grew up in Santpedor, in the heart of the Catalan region, and was asked for his take on the indyref situation at his press conference today.
"In the end the Catalans people want to exercise the right to vote," he told reporters. "They want to exercise democracy. That is the most important thing.
"Obviously it is a really sensitive issue but we are in the 21st century and this is different. People change their minds. This is a new society.
"It is not about whether we will get independence or not. We just want to vote. Scotland did it here. That is what the Catalans people want right now."
Other high-profile figures in world football hailing from Catalonia include Barca defender Gerard Pique and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas.
Neil Wilkes
