Tearful Gerard Pique threatens to quit Spanish team
Gerard Pique says he may be forced to quit the Spanish national team as a result of the political unrest in Catalonia.
He was in tears after Barcelona’s 3-0 victory over Las Palmas on Sunday. The game was played at an empty stadium after the LFP refused their request for a postponement.
Heavy handed Spanish police raided polling stations across Catalonia in order to stop their vote for independence.
The club criticised police and displayed the word "democracy" on their big screen during the match.
Spanish authorities have declared the referendum illegal and police used force to stop men and women from exercising their right to vote.
The region is not recognised as a separate nation under the Spanish constitution.
Officers used batons and rubber bullets to remove people from polling stations across the region, with footage emerging on social media showing police seizing ballot boxes and smashing their way in to polling centres.
"After what has transpired it has been my worst experience as a professional.
"It's been a hard day for families, children, grandparents and the images speak for themselves. The protests didn't have any type of violence and the images have now been seen around the world.
"The club committee tried to postpone the game then they came to the dressing room and, as a club, we debated it and decided to play.
"I go to play with the national team because I believe in democracy and there are a lot of people in Spain who don't agree with what has happened today," Pique said after the game.
"The person who goes with the national team, isn't the most patriotic, you have to go and perform to your maximum.
“It's not a competition of patriotism, it's about going and giving all you can to win - that's how I understand it."
"If anyone in the federation believes I should not be there, I will step aside.”
Throwback
