GERARD PIQUE ONCE more became the focus for the wrath of Spain fans on Thursday as he was booed and jeered prior to the nation’s World Cup qualifier against Albania.
The Barcelona defender has been in the headlines this week for his support of the Catalunya independence referendum, which was violently broken up by security forces leaving over 900 injured in the region.
Pique also put in doubt his own future with the Spain team on that same day , saying on Sunday he would step aside if the coach or RFEF directors wished it so.
And while there were a few cheers for his name when it was read out in Alicante, those supporters were drowned out by boos and whistles from the stands.
It is not the first time that the outspoken Barcelona man has been barracked by his own nation’s fans, as he has held an uneasy relationship with many in Spain due to his views on Catalan nationalism.
But his Roja team-mates, notably Sergio Ramos, have long defended his commitment to the cause, with the Real Madrid defender saying earlier this week that the pair got on well despite their club rivalry .
“We have a very good relationship even though we think differently. There should not be any problem between us,” Ramos said.
There were no problems for Spain either, as it turned out.
Goals from Rodrigo, Isco and Thiago Alcantara gave them a comfortable 3-0 win that booked their place at next summer’s tournament.
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