The FC Barcelona Away shirt in 2013-14 will be in the colours of the Senyera, the flag of the autonomous region of Catalunya (Catalonia) of which Barcelona is the capital.
After the news was leaked yesterday, the club confirmed the move and the shirts are believed to be already in mass production. There is a great sense of national pride towards the Catalan region within the Barça supporter base so the shirt is likely to be very popular. Whilst this was always likely, the style had reportedly been previously avoided due to worries over alienating the club's many fans from outside of Catalunya.
Those worries have now been put to one side and the news has been met warmly, with both local politicians and Barça players expressing their joy at the decision, which coincides with the National Day of Catalunya (La Diada). FC Barcelona is often seen as representing the Catalan nation and the wearing of the flag's colours may solidify this link even further.
The Catalan national side is not officially recognised by Fifa so players rarely have the opportunity to represent their flag, aside from Barça carrying it on the back of the collar over the last few seasons. In recent years Catalan players have been instrumental in the success of the Spanish national team and their region's contribution has been acknowledged in the media. Now they will be able to regularly carry their colours in the guise of Barça.
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