Own goal or a winner? Thierry Henry takes aim at Spain’s claim on Catalonia ‘is not Spain’

Away games could be about to become a lot more difficult for one of the world’s greatest footballers.

Thierry Henry, the former Arsenal striker who transferred to Barcelona two years ago, has provoked the wrath of millions after telling a newspaper that Catalonia ‘is not Spain’.

The French World Cup winner referred to the northeast region of the country as different, a sentiment which will please many of the fiercely proud Catalans who cheer him on in the Nou Camp every week and regard themselves as distinct from the rest of the country. But it has already caused anger among some opponents of Catalan nationalism.

In an interview with the Spanish daily La Vanguardia last week, Henry said: “What I think is this: Catalonia is not Spain, it is another thing and you have to feel it. Barça is another story.

“When you arrive here from Arsenal it surprises you to see how the people are, it is a shock. You have to live it to understand it. England is another mentality.”

Henry, 32, who spent eight years with Arsenal, is the latest player to become involved in the controversial subject of regional nationalism in Spain.

The player’s comments received a hostile reaction from some fans in Internet forums.

One said: “Poor footballers who fall for the Mein Kampf Farca…they force them to praise the very old fashioned fascist, racist nationalism of Europe.”

Another said Henry should be aware his own country occupied Rossellon, which is regarded by Catalan nationalists as part of Catalonia. Jordi B said: “Rossellon is part of the Catalan nation”

Henry is not the first Barca player to become embroiled in the often stormy world of regional politics. Oleguer Presas, a former defender who is now with Ajax of Holland, was an outspoken Catalan nationalist who supported moves to allow the region to break away from Spain.

He wrote a well-received treatise in favour of Catalan independence but found himself in trouble with his former club when he reportedly voiced some support for Eta, the Basque separatist organisation.

At one stage, it was rumoured Oleguer was unhappy about playing with the Spain national squad, but later he joined them for training.

In the Basque Country, Athletico Bilbao only has only ever employed Basque players, in a move which has proved highly contentious. In contrast, Real Madrid has for many years been seen as a symbol of Castilian Spain and was the favoured club of the late dictator General Franco.

Nationalists in Catalonia, the Basque Country and Galicia demand greater autonomy from Madrid, despite a series of concessions to the regions which gives them a high degree of self-governance.
Source: timesonline
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