Gerard Pique: Barcelona man prepared to quit Spain duty amid independence debate

Barcelona defender gerard pique says he will retire from global soccer before the arena cup if his help for catalonia's independence referendum is deemed a trouble.

Barcelona beat las palmas three-zero in an empty stadium on sunday following unrest inside the town, and the 30-yr-vintage described it as his "hardest recreation".

"i suppose i will maintain," stated pique.

"however if the board really thinks i am a trouble, i'm able to take a step again and go away the countrywide crew earlier than 2018.

"there are numerous people in spain who disagree with what happened nowadays and believe in democracy."

Catalonia, a location of 7.5 million humans in north-jap spain, has its personal language and culture and barcelona is its capital.

It also has a excessive diploma of autonomy, however isn't recognised as a separate state underneath the spanish charter.

Jeered throughout spain video games

Pique has played 91 instances for spain however has become a divisive determine due to his stance on the referendum.

In the course of their june pleasant in opposition to colombia in murcia, a town in south east spain, he was jeered often via supporters who oppose catalan independence.

Real madrid defender sergio ramos has intervened to ask enthusiasts to show his global colleague "respect".

Before sunday's recreation against las palmas, pique published a image on twitter of him balloting in the referendum.

The previous manchester united defender wrote: "i have already voted. Collectively we are unstoppable protecting democracy."

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'we debated whether or not to play'

Barcelona's recreation against las palmas changed into played at the back of closed doors as a protest after their request for it to be postponed turned into rejected.

The spanish authorities pledged to forestall a poll declared unlawful on an afternoon of violent protests and unrest.

Pique stated: "the board tried to suspend the in shape, but it wasn't viable. We debated it and the club determined we need to play.

"i'm and i sense catalan, these days extra than ever. I'm proud of the behaviour of the humans of catalonia. Balloting is a right that must be defended."

Pique believes sunday's events will reason similarly political instability in spain.

"for a moment i could not trust it," he told the afp company. "i concept they might try and block the vote however they might try to do it in a non violent manner.

"it wasn't like that, however as a minimum the complete global has visible it.

"this choice has made things plenty worse. It's miles one of the worst decisions made with the aid of this us of a in forty or 50 years.

"it has most effective served to separate catalonia and spain more and it's going to have outcomes."