A TEARFUL GERARD Piqué described Barcelona’s victory over Las Palmas which was played behind closed doors after violence marred Sunday’s Catalan independence referendum as his “worst experience as a professional.”
Barcelona made it seven wins from as many LaLiga matches with a 3-0 triumph at an empty Camp Nou, where the Barca board decided to play the fixture without fans after their request to have the match postponed was rejected by LaLiga.
Barca’s appeal for postponement came amid violent scenes during Catalonia’s independence referendum, which was declared illegal by the nation’s constitutional court.
Speaking about the match and Sunday’s events, outspoken Barca star and Spain international Piqué told reporters:
It was a really difficult game to play. It was my worst experience as a professional.
“We all gave our opinions (in the dressing room), there were pros and cons for playing, but in the end, we decided to play.
“I understand that there are supporters who do not understand that decision.”
Lionel Messi scored a second-half brace for Barca, while Sergio Busquets was also on target for the LaLiga leaders, who preserved their 100 per cent record.
Piqué has been heavily criticised for encouraging people to vote in the referendum amid question marks over his future in the Spain team.
The 30-year-old – who did vote and has been the target of boos by fans of Spain across the country – added: “If anyone believes I am a problem for the federation, I will step aside from the national team before the World Cup.
“Going with the national team is not a competition in patriotism, it’s about trying to play the best you possibly can.”
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In fairness to Pique he has always produced for Spain , at under age and senior . There was absolutely no need to postpone the game or play it behind closed doors .
@Limón Madrugada: A Barcelona fan group called upon supporters at the game to protest with a pitch invasion. Surely the safety of the players has to be taken in to consideration? I see nothing wrong with them playing it behind closed doors if there was a risk of that happening.
@Ciara Baines: that’s not why it was played behind closed doors . There was no issues of player safety , nor any crowd unrest , the fact is that many people would never have known that a ‘referendum’ was taking place if Barca hadn’t tried to postpone the game .
There is so much fake news going around re the whole referendum matter .. and instead of just believing the first thing they read people should read a lot , from all sides , and then draw their own conclusions .
@Limón Madrugada: you have just added your own fake news. The referendum has been big news for days and the violence between the police made it huge news. Barca played the match because they wanted the points and had it behind closes doors so there would b no pitch invasion (that could result in docked points)
@John Buckley: that’s exactly the fake news I am talking about ..
@Limón Madrugada: dig up Franco and give him a hug. If you were a horse your blinkers would have blinkers.
@Limón Madrugada: national news outlets are indeed propaganda machines but don’t you live in Madrid the heart of it all?
If you are not on the ground in Barcelona where is the ‘real’ news you are getting and how are you distinguishing it?
@Aaron Buckley: the heart of what ?
@Freddie Rincon: I have no sympathy for Franco , all I am saying is for people to read extensively .. I have my opinions which I am not going to force on anyone .. read !!
@Limón Madrugada: Why was it played behind closed doors then? Also maybe you didn’t know about this referendum before this happened but plenty of people did.
@Darragh Sheahan: thanks for the enlightenment ! Where have you been for the last 20 years to guide me through my life in Spain?
liberación para cataluña!
@Tom Allen: Someone who lives there pointed out to me
The Catalan Gov are just as corrupt and these people have never been oppressed
they are champagne activists.
Scots vote on leaving UK? Democracy.
Kurds on leaving Iraq? Democracy.
Catalans on leaving Spain? Democracy.
Brits on leaving EU? Racism!