Catalan Is Key

So says Barcelona president Joan Laporta. When he's not busy trying to grease some wheels, Laporta is hard at work trying to get Barca's youth academy to speak Catalan at all times.

At a club dinner, Laporta said addressed the woes currently afflicting Barca's youth and reserve teams. He talked about working hard in training and giving your all for the club. But most importantly, he told them that they must respect the team's "Catalan identity." For Laporta, this means speaking and writing in the native language.

Though I don't think this pep talk will win the la Liga on Sunday, or keep Frank Rijkaard around, it's a good jumping off point for Barca's future generations.

Barcelona accused of buying favours from Madrid rivals [Times of London]
Laporta calls for hard work, and that they speak Catalan (in Spanish) [Marca]

-ac