This case study is an analysis about the crisis communication tactics that were taken by Futbol Club Barcelona on September 20th and October 1st in regards to the events related to the Catalan Independence Referendum. This paper will analyze the Attribution Theory and what factors to consider when choosing a crisis response strategy. The case study will also analyze the events that took place leading up to and the day the vote took place in Barcelona. It is important to note that this analysis will be done from a general soccer fan’s point of view.
I will begin with a literature review that covers the different crisis communication theories and approaches that fall under the Attribution Theory. I will then discuss the background behind the crisis I am analyzing. This section will include history about the Catalan Independence Movement, the relationship between Futbol Club Barcelona and Catalan Nationalism, and FC Barcelona relationship and involvement with the Independence Referendum. Lastly, I will analyze FC Barcelona’s crisis communication methods and how it was received by the public surrounding the events that took place on and before October 1st 2017.