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Barcelona great Pep Guardiola calls for support on Catalonia's independence referendum: 'Stand by us as we defend our rights'

Former Barcelona player and manager Pep Guardiola has called on the international community to support a referendum on Catalan independence that Spain's government considers illegal.

Guardiola, who turned out over 298 times for the club in a stellar 10-year spell at the Nou Camp, read a manifesto at a rally of several thousand supporters of Catalan independence who gathered at a fountain in Barcelona on Sunday.

The former Spain international — who also played seven times for Catalonia — continued his career for his hometown club when he turned to management and helped Barca to 11 major trophies in a four-year spell at the helm.