A former FC Barcelona star is facing accusations of “Catalanophobia” after excerpts from his 2008 autobiography resurfaced, sparking a heated debate about Catalan identity and language within the club.

the Backstory: Petit’s Time at Barcelona

Emmanuel Petit, a french midfielder, arrived at Barcelona in 2000 alongside Marc Overmars, following a successful stint at Arsenal where he secured a Premier League and FA Cup double in 1997/1998. While Overmars struggled with injuries, Petit also found it challenging to settle into the Catalan club.

Deployed in defense,Petit endured injuries and departed after just one season. Though, it was his later reflections on his time at Camp Nou that ignited the current controversy.

Petit’s Grievances: A Clash of Cultures

In his autobiography, Petit criticized Lorenzo Serra Ferrer for mismanaging his position and voiced concerns about the club’s overall culture. He described a fractured locker room divided into Catalan, Dutch, and “the rest” factions, lamenting the lack of unity.

petit recounted his initial experiences upon joining the team:

As soon as I arrived at barcelona people told me: ‘don’t try to learn Spanish, you have to learn Catalan’. And I said to them: ‘I’m in Spain, right?’ And they woudl reply: ‘No. You’re in Catalonia.’

He elaborated on his discomfort with the situation:

I understand that they identified with that, but that is very close to racism. We are talking about football, not politics or religion. I didn’t like the situation in the dressing room at all and then this constant way of forcing me to speak in Catalan … even though I know that without a doubt it will make the Catalans jump, Barcelona is still in Spain and I didn’t realy understand it.

The Accusation: “Catalanophobia”

The resurfacing of these quotes has led to accusations of “Catalanophobia,” with some media outlets highlighting petit’s criticisms of Catalan culture and language. The sensitivity surrounding Catalan identity has amplified the controversy across Spain.

Barcelona’s Catalan Identity: More Than a Club

FC Barcelona proudly embraces its Catalan heritage. this is evident in various aspects of the club,including:

• The use of Catalan language at Camp Nou (and temporarily at Montjuic).
• The incorporation of the Senyera flag (Catalan flag) on its jerseys.
• The celebration of Catalan holidays like Saint Jordi’s Day.