Catalonia - Should UEFA allow them to have a National Team

[Tartan]

Macedonian, yet again you Greeks inspired me. I looked up the Catalan National team and here is some of what I found on Wikipedia:

Catalonia national football team is the official football team of Catalonia, Spain. It is organised by the Catalonia Football Federation. The team has been referred to by various names including Selecció Catalana, Selecció de Barcelona and the Catalan XI. Catalonia is not affiliated to either FIFA or UEFA and the team does not participate in either the FIFA World Cup or the European Championship. Catalonia has tried to join UEFA, citing Scotland and Wales as similar regional sides with UEFA membership, but has always been rejected. However since 1904 the team has played nearly 200 games against various national, regional and club teams [1]. Since 1997 a Catalan XI has regularly got together, usually at Christmas, to play an international game. Among the teams they have played are Nigeria, Brazil and Argentina. Their most recent game was a 2-2 with the Basque country national team (Euskadi XI) at the Camp Nou in October 2006. Their next match was intended to be against the United States on October 14, 2007 at Camp Nou.[1], and they signed a contract, but on September 3, 2007, the Spanish Football Federation denied permission for the match to take place, stating that the match should not be played on a date when internationals under FIFAs jurisdiction take place, and that it must be played at Christmas, when the Catalan team usually plays their matches.

[macedonian]

Absolutely. No disrespect to the ethnic Spaniards, but the Catalans should have their own team compete.

[ralph]

UEFA and FIFA can't allow just anyone to put forward a national team. What next? Neighbourhoods?

[AEK Man]

I disagree. Catalan's claims are legit, so are Basques. Come on Ralph, they deserve it.

[Forza]

No way. Why should they? Forget it. Besides, only the Scots and Greeks are the Catalans (and Basques for their issue) allies on this. Not even cloe to enough muscle power.

[killer_6]

I voted no.
The first step would be for them to get sanctioned by/affiliated with UEFA/FIFA. Until they do that, it's a dead issue IMO.

[Materazzi, Zidane Slayer]

I'm with the Killer, even though I killed the man in his avtar.

[macedonian]

I respect that we all have opinions, but if they go through the proper process, they shour have their own nt.

[Titan]

I think so. They have had road blocks thrown up at them for decades. Bunch of nonsense. They deserve a shot. Are they not their own ethnic group. Let them have this as part of their identity.

[Bibaboli]

A Catalan team would be better than the current Spanish squad