Barcelona, Uber and Taxis

The Creation of Uber

Founded in San Francisco in 2009 by Garrett Camp and Travis Kalanick.
It started as UberCab, connecting riders and drivers through a smartphone app.
Its model disrupted traditional taxis by offering lower prices, cashless payments, and real-time tracking.
However, it has faced criticism worldwide for avoiding regulations, treating drivers as freelancers, and undermining local taxi industries.

The Creation of F.C. Barcelona

Founded in 1899 by Joan Gamper, a Swiss football enthusiast.
Motto: “Més que un club” — “More than a club.”
The club symbolizes Catalan pride, democracy, and resistance — especially during Franco’s dictatorship, when Catalan identity was suppressed.
Barça has always promoted values of community, equality, and social responsibility.

A Clash of Values

Élite Taxi argues that partnering with Uber contradicts Barça’s historic role as a defender of social justice.
They believe that a club symbolizing fair play and equality should not align with a company accused of unfair labor practices and corporate greed.

1. Vocabulary Match

Word	Meaning
1. Deregulation	a. Physical barrier preventing movement
2. Labor exploitation	b. A situation where someone benefits unfairly from workers’ efforts
3. Sponsorship deal	c. The act of removing government controls over an industry
4. Core values	d. A public statement expressing disapproval
5. Union	e. Main moral or ethical beliefs of an organization
6. Blockade	f. A group formed to protect workers’ rights
7. Reconsider	g. Financial agreement between a company and an organization for promotion
8. Greed	h. To think again about a decision
9. Call off	i. An excessive desire for more of something, like money, possessions,food, etc...
10. Disruption	j. The fair treatment of all members of society
11. Social justice	k. An action that interrupts an existing system
12. Condemnation	l. To cancel something that was previously planned or scheduled, such as a meeting, event, or a deal

2. Synonym Match

Word	Synonym
1. Protest	a. Syndicate
2. Halt	b. Created
3. Union	c. Uprising
4. Call off	d. Stop
5.Persuade	e. Represent
6. Symbolize	f. Convince
7. Ban	g. Cancel
8. Founded	h. Prohibit
9. Dialogue	i. Dispute
10. Conflict	j. Discussion

3. Role Play

Role Play 1: “The Meeting at Barça Headquarters”

Roles:
- Élite Taxi spokesperson
- F.C. Barcelona general director
- Uber representative
- Journalist
Goal:
Discuss the planned Uber sponsorship. Taxi drivers express concerns; the director defends the deal; Uber promotes innovation.
The journalist should ask provocative questions.

Role Play 2: “Fans’ Debate Outside the Stadium”

Roles:
- Barça fan supporting the deal (“We need money to compete!”)
- Traditionalist fan (“Barça is betraying its soul!”)
- Taxi driver (“You’re helping Uber destroy local jobs!”)
- Tourist (“I just want to get to the match!”)

4.Communicative & Critical Thinking Activities

1. Agree or Disagree

Discuss the following statements:

“Football clubs should stay out of politics and business controversies.”
“Uber represents progress, not exploitation.”
“Tradition must adapt to modern times.”
“Barça’s values should guide every decision, even business ones.”

2. Mini-Debate

Divide the class:

Team A: “The Uber deal is good for the club and the city.”
Team B: “The deal goes against Barça’s values.”

Each side prepares 3 arguments and rebuts the other team.

5. Research: Barça’s Sponsors

Research the following sponsors: UNICEF, Beko, Qatar Foundation, Nike, Spotify.

For each, find:

One positive contribution
One controversy or criticism

What company do you think would be the ideal sponsor that truly matches Barça’s motto Més que un club ?

6.OpenAI, Revolut, Spotify, Netflix, Amazon, Airbnb, Glovo

Uber is a company that has used technology to make life easier for the consumer and disrupted their industries through innovation:Talk about how these other companies have done the same:

7. Reflection

A:What does “Més que un club” mean to you now?
B:Can a business or sports club truly maintain its values in a global market?
C: Compare the usage of Uber with taxis ? In your opinion, which one has the upperhand and why?
What do you know about the other football teams in Barcelona and its surroundings?

8.Fill in the Blanks: Barcelona Taxi Protest and the Uber Deal

Complete each sentence with the correct word or phrase from the box below.
Words to use:
protest – sponsorship deal – values – blocked – negotiations – contradiction – symbolize– banned, made the rounds

Barcelona’s taxi drivers planned a citywide ________ to show their anger toward F.C. Barcelona’s partnership with Uber.
F.C. Barcelona has long been known to ________ Catalan pride, democracy, and social justice.
F.C. Barcelona’s new ________ with Uber caused outrage among taxi drivers and traditional fans.
The drivers said the club was betraying its core ________ by working with a company accused of unfair practices.
During the planned strike, roads around the Olympic Stadium were to be ________ by taxis.
After ________ between Élite Taxi and Barça’s general director, the union decided to call off the strike.
The taxi union said the deal was a ________ of Barça’s motto, “Més que un club.”
Uber was ________ in Barcelona in 2019 but is now allowed to operate again.
This conflict between the taxi union and F.C. Barcelona all over the news .

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