Barcelona appeal to RFEF to claim 1937 league title

Barcelona are expected to appeal to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) in an attempt to be awarded the 1937 league title.

The RFEF was suspended between 1936 and 1939 due to the Spanish Civil War but, in the meantime, and handful of cup competitions were organised alongside the Mediterranean League which, unofficially, took the place of La Liga.

Barcelona won the Mediterranean League in 1937 but, given it was not an official RFEF tournament, it is not a triumph which has been counted in their tally of 26 league titles.

However, they could be about to change that as ESPN note Barcelona are prepared to appeal to the RFEF in an attempt to be formally recognised as national champions that season and therefore take their tally up to 27.

Barcelona, who failed with an appeal to be credited with this title in 2009, believe the RFEF have set a recent precedent which means they should be entitled to claiming the title.

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Levante have recently been granted the honour of winning the 1937 Free Spain Cup, which took the place of what is now known as the Copa del Rey, even though that was not an official RFEF competition. Similarly, Deportivo de la Coruna have been named the winners of the 1912 Concurso de Espana - another unofficial cup competition.

With Levante and Deportivo now permitted by the RFEF to claim triumphs in these unofficial competitions, Barcelona are understood to believe that they must be recognised as league champions for 1937.

Barcelona have officially won 26 league titles to date, putting them second in the rankings behind Real Madrid, who have 35 trophies to their name.

Xavi's side are favourites to win this season's title, having opened up a 12-point lead at the top of the table, but Barcelona are looking to add a bonus honour to their record books.