Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu insisted on Saturday the Catalan giants cannot be used by either side of a political battle over Catalonia's drive to gain independence from Spain.

A powerful symbol of Catalonia across the world, Barca have been caught in the political crossfire in the weeks following an independence referendum, deemed illegal by Madrid, was marred by violence.

"We are not an instrument to be manipulated for political interests, whatever they may be," Bartomeu told club members at Barca's annual general meeting. "Nobody can appropriate our badge or flag."

The club have backed Catalonia's right to self-determination, but refused to position themselves on either side of the independence debate.

And Bartomeu showed his support for Catalonia's institutions after Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy announced on Saturday that Madrid will move to dismiss Catalonia's separatist government and call fresh elections in the semi-autonomous region.

"Barcelona has always stood by the people of Catalonia and its institutions