Barcelona sign the first-ever sponsorship deal... to have logo INSIDE their shirts

Barcelona have signed up with technology giant Intel, who will have their logo in an unusual place - on the inside of Messi and Co's shirts.

The computer chip firm has signed a partnership with the Catalan giants to be the club's official technology partner, with the 'Intel inside' logo becoming the first-ever placement inside the clubs' shirts.

Spain stars Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique showed off the new shirts at a launch event, along with Barcelona president Sandro Rosell.

Lift it up: Carles Puyol (left) and Gerard Pique (right) show off the strange new sponsorship

Star-studded: Pique, Puyol, Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Neymar (left-right) at the launch of the partnership

The new partnership will also see Intel produce groundbreaking technology for the club's famous La Masia academy, which has produced a huge number of stars in the current squad - Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta. 

Barcelona players and coaches will also snap up the latest Intel-based devices, while the firm will work with the club to improve training and performance through data.

'It is a huge satisfaction for FC Barcelona to be able to join forces and share the values of innovation and teamwork with a company of such worldwide prestige as Intel,' said Rosell. 

'We are both trendsetters in our fields, and I am convinced the collaboration we are starting today will be very important. It will mean much more than a financial sponsorship.'

World class: Intel will produce the technology for La Masia, the academy which produced stars like Lionel Messi

Young gun: Brazil star Neymar netted a hat-trick in Barcelona's Champions League demolition of Celtic

Meanwhile, Barca's hopes of acquiring land from the city's university to build a new stadium appear to have hit a major stumbling block.

Barca this week announced plans to either redevelop their current Nou Camp home or move to land owned by the university adjacent to the Avinguda Diagonal in L'Hospitalet.

However, the University on Thursday released a statement in which it denied holding any talks with the Spanish champions and reiterated its unwillingness to sell any land.

Yingluck Invites Thais To Find Solution To Crisis

Thailand's caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has invited all sectors of society and political parties to a meeting on Dec 15, to seek a solution to the current political turmoil, and for national reform.

"The government will be open-minded and listen to opinions to seek the best solution for the country," she said in her televised announcement here today.

She said the permanent secretary in the Prime Minister's Office, Tongthong Chantharangsu would facilitate the meeting at the Queen Sirikit National Centre at 9am on Dec 15.

Meanwhile, the anti-government group led by Suthep Thuegsuban, the leader of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), continued to insist on a caretaker government without the current administration.

Thousands of anti-government protesters still remained around the Government House, thus keeping Yingluck away from her office since the protesters shifted their rally site from the Government Complex Centre and finance ministry on Dec 9.

Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul told Asean diplomats today, that Suthep had stepped up his demands in the past few days.

He said Suthep called on all government officials to report to the People's Democratic Reform Committee, and ordered the police to charge the prime minister and cabinet ministers for insurrection.

"Suthep had also ordered the police to return to post and the military to deploy and safeguard government premises," said Surapong who described the order as unrealistic, unconstitutional and anti-democratic.

In a 15-minute briefing to the diplomats, he said Yingluck's caretaker government which was legitimate, would ensure that the Feb 2 elections would be free and fair.

At the meeting, Malaysia was represented by its ambassador, Datuk Nazirah Hussain and Myanmar by its ambassador, U Tin Win while the rest of the Asean embassies were represented by officials.

Surapong assured that Thailand's cooperation with other Asean member countries would not be affected by the political crisis.