France's Prime Minister Manuel Valls has said he is willing to offer FC Barcelona a place in Ligue 1 next season if the Spanish Champions are thrown out of La Liga.

Valls, who is a Barcelona fan has made the promise, should Catalonia gain independence from Spain. Barcelona is the Catalan capital and has seen marches on its streets recently calling for independence.

According to Javier Tebas, the Chief Executive of La Liga, Barcelona would have to leave the league should they gain independence. The Catalan club have won the Spanish title 23 times, and on five occasions in the past seven years.

Prime Minister Valls told French newspaper Journal du Dimanche; "Monaco play in Ligue One, so why not Barcelona?"

Barcelona regularly play against French opposition and have been drawn against Paris Saint Germain on two occasions in the past three seasons.