“The leaders of Catalonia and the people who voted decided that the moment has come to separate and I will back them,” Stoichkov, a Bulgarian, told his country’s public broadcaster BNT.

“This is only natural. I’ve lived there for 27 years. I know what they have given me and what I have given them.”

Renowned for his sharp tongue, 51-year-old Stoichkov accused the Spanish government of being responsible for the violent clashes that erupted during Sunday’s poll in the wealthy northeastern region.

Images of Spanish police beating Catalans taking part in the vote sparked international concern.

“The world saw it. This is inadmissible,” Stoichkov said, adding that he felt “insulted and indignant”.

“I don’t care about Spain, I care about the people of Catalonia. Nobody wants blood and beatings,” he fumed.

The left-footed striker joined Barca in 1990 and scored a total of 162 goals in 336 games during an eight-year stay, which earned him a spot on Barcelona’s Dream Team.

Barcelona captain Gerard Pique has been the most prominent critic in the team of Spain’s handling of the crisis, while the club’s former manager and current Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is an outspoken supporter of Catalan independence.

The Catalan club played behind closed doors at the Nou Camp on Sunday, beating Las Palmas 3-0 in La Liga, as a protest against Spain using force to prevent voters taking part in a banned referendum to decide the region’s fate.

More than 840 people needed medical attention after riot police clashed with some of those attempting to participate in the controversial vote on secession, which the Spanish government had ruled illegal.

“In the case of independence, the club and the members would have to decide in which league we would play,” Bartomeu told reporters after a board meeting.”We are going through difficult and complicated moments and with respect to what could happen in the future we will take it on with calm and wisdom.”

Catalan sports minister Gerard Figueras last week said Barcelona may be able to play in another country should the region achieve independence from Spain.

“In the case of independence, Catalan teams in La Liga Barcelona, Espanyol and Girona will have to decide where they want to play: in the Spanish league or a neighbouring country like Italy, France or the (English) Premier League,” he said.