Barcelona defender Gerard Pique says he is ready to stand down from Spain duty if he is deemed a "problem" by national team coach Julen Lopetegui or the Spanish Football Federation as a result of his support for Catalan independence.
<img title="Defender Gerard Pique has played 91 matches for Spain and helped them win the World Cup in 2010 and Euro 2012. Pic/Getty Images" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2017/oct/pique-spain.jpg" alt="Defender Gerard Pique has played 91 matches for Spain and helped them win the World Cup in 2010 and Euro 2012. Pic/Getty Images" /> Defender Gerard Pique has played 91 matches for Spain and helped them win the World Cup in 2010 and Euro 2012. Pic/Getty Images
Pique is now due to link up with the Spanish national team for their forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Israel &mdash; but says he is willing to step aside before next year's finals if his involvement is an issue.
"I honestly think I can join up with the national team because I'm convinced there are thousands of people who totally disagree with what has happened. I also say that if the coach or anyone from the Federation thinks that I'm a problem or a nuisance then I will step aside and leave the national team before 2018."
Emotional Pique Pique made the claim in an emotional interview following Barca's home match against Las Palmas, which was played behind closed doors as a protest on a day when violent scenes broke out during Catalonia's unofficial independence referendum.
Barca had asked the Spanish football authorities to postpone Sunday's game against Las Palmas, citing the unusual circumstances. But when the club's request was rejected by Liga de Futbol Profesional, Barca took the step of playing the fixture in an empty Nou Camp &mdash; winning 3-0.
Big debate Pique said: "The board tried to postpone the game at all costs, we debated it between the players and the club, and chose to play. It was difficult without the supporters.
"There were many arguments in favour and against, but we were playing for the points and the League and Las Palmas wanted to play. The club have decided and that's it. My opinion is not so important. I expressed mine. In the end it was decided to play the game. We are a club and we are all in it together. "But I understand perfectly those who criticise us for having played."

Barcelona defender insists he will stand down from national duty if deemed a problem by Spanish Federation over his support for Catalan independence

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Barcelona defender insists he will stand down from national duty if deemed a problem by Spanish Federation over his support for Catalan independence

Gerard Pique: I might quit playing football for Spain

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Gerard Pique: I might quit playing football for Spain

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