Barcelona News: Gerard Pique will play for Spain despite independence vote – Lopetegui

BARCELONA star Gerard Pique will report for Spain duty on Monday regardless of the Catalan independence referendum result, insists manager Julen Lopetegui.
Pique is a vocal advocate of Catalan independence, a stance that has put him at odds with many Spanish football fans.

The centre-back is regularly jeered at Spain games, especially when they play in Madrid’s Bernabeu stadium.

Sunday will see a controversial referendum take place in Catalonia, with many in Spain claiming the vote is illegal.

Pique has tweeted his support of the vote, writing: “From today until Sunday we should express ourselves peacefully.

“Don’t give them any excuse. It’s what they want. And sing high and strong. #WeWillVote”
Pique is a vocal advocate of Catalan independence, a stance that has put him at odds with many Spanish football fans.

The centre-back is regularly jeered at Spain games, especially when they play in Madrid’s Bernabeu stadium.

Sunday will see a controversial referendum take place in Catalonia, with many in Spain claiming the vote is illegal.




Pique has tweeted his support of the vote, writing: “From today until Sunday we should express ourselves peacefully.

“Don’t give them any excuse. It’s what they want. And sing high and strong. #WeWillVote”
Spain face Albania and Israel in their final two World Cup qualifiers of their campaign.

Wins in both matches will see them finish above Italy in Group G and quality automatically for the tournament in Russia.

Pique has been a mainstay in the Spain side alongside Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos for a number of years.

The 30-year-old won the World Cup with Spain in 2010 and the 2012 European Championship.

Source:www.express.co.uk