pique jeers rain on spains world cup party
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today

against Albania on Friday

Pique jeers rain on Spain's World Cup party

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today Pique jeers rain on Spain's World Cup party

Spain's Gerard Pique kicks the ball during their World Cup 2018 qualifier match vs Albania.
Alicante - Arab Today

In the midst of Catalonia's drive for independence, Gerard Pique was again centre of attention as he was met with a mixture of jeers and applause in Spain's politicised World Cup qualifier against Albania on Friday.

Pique made his 92nd appearance at international level just days after voting in a referendum on Catalan independence deemed illegal by the Spanish government and marred by a police crackdown that left hundreds needing medical attention.

However, the Barcelona defender has been received in similar fashion for over two years when representing La Roja for his outspoken jibes at Real Madrid even before his political stance took centre stage this week.

Along with captain Sergio Ramos and Barca teammate Andres Iniesta, Pique has called for politicians on both sides of the political divide to negotiate in order to avoid the shocking scenes of violence that reverberated around the world last weekend.

However, he angered many by continuing to criticise the heavy-handed policing after joining up with the Spain squad this week on social media.

"In Las Rozas (Spain's training ground) you no longer wear the Barca shirt, but that of the national team, of the country you belong to and you retweet things against that country," said Nacho Ortiz, 23, draped in a Spanish flag and who admitted he would jeer Pique.

"It is a painful subject," said Ortiz's friend Adrian Pena.

Pique has campaigned for Catalonia's right to self-determination but has never publicly backed independence for the wealthy northeastern region of Spain.

"My personal opinion is that Pique hasn't said he is in favour of independence. He has asked for dialogue, that there is a binding referendum," said Sofia Duperiel, an Alicante native who came to watch the game with her six-year-old son.

Spain could book their place in next year's World Cup with a win should Italy drop points at home to Macedonia.

"For sure it spoils the party," added Duperiel. "It is a shame to mix politics and sport."

Pique is just one of a number of Catalans who have played a huge part in Spain's most successful ever era at international level as La Roja won the 2010 World Cup and 2008 and 2012 European Championships.

And most fans can't envisage what the Spanish national team or La Liga, one of Europe's top divisions, would look like without Catalan players or teams.

"It would be incredible, I cannot imagine it," continued Duperiel.

On the field, Spain seemed to suffer little from a week of upheaval off the pitch as they raced into a 3-0 lead much to the delight of the crowd as they responded with chants of "I am Spanish" and "Viva Espana" (long live Spain).

Source: AFP

arabstoday
arabstoday

GMT 12:30 2018 Friday ,14 December

Noriaki Kasai: 30 years of World Cup ski-jumping

GMT 09:57 2018 Monday ,03 December

Robben confirms this season is his last at Bayern

GMT 19:26 2018 Wednesday ,19 September

Lionel Messi eases the pressure with a treble against PSV

GMT 15:44 2018 Wednesday ,05 September

Six-time Olympic Champ Viktor Ahn wraps up sports career

GMT 09:13 2018 Wednesday ,24 January

Rockets' juggernaut continues

GMT 09:11 2018 Wednesday ,24 January

Beijing Guoan plead ignorance
Arab Today, arab today

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

pique jeers rain on spains world cup party pique jeers rain on spains world cup party

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

pique jeers rain on spains world cup party pique jeers rain on spains world cup party

 



GMT 12:47 2016 Thursday ,01 September

'La La Land' musical masterpiece dazzles Venice film fest

GMT 12:42 2017 Monday ,20 February

Dalia al-Behairy begins 'Yawmiyat Zoga Mafrosa'

GMT 19:01 2017 Wednesday ,30 August

Oil prices down as US reels from Harvey

GMT 04:19 2017 Monday ,08 May

National forces attack mercenaries in Taiz

GMT 19:21 2017 Sunday ,07 May

Iranian Film Week opens in Baghdad

GMT 21:33 2017 Sunday ,30 July

Arab Quartet meeting kicks off in Bahrain

GMT 17:17 2016 Friday ,07 October

Aleppo bleeds as US and Russia spar

GMT 12:03 2015 Monday ,21 December

Nepal protester killed in constitutional crisis clash

GMT 09:47 2016 Thursday ,22 December

Trump vows to cut F-35 spending, as leaked memo

GMT 21:44 2017 Friday ,15 December

King establishes Hawar Development Committee

GMT 20:57 2017 Tuesday ,16 May

Naval Forces rescue 23 tourists in Hurghada

GMT 12:56 2017 Monday ,11 December

Lyon leave it late, Balotelli with Nice winner

GMT 06:18 2017 Thursday ,19 October

Russian delegation meets with Julphar chairman

GMT 21:20 2017 Monday ,23 October

Nasr, delegation of London Stock Exchange

GMT 14:40 2012 Saturday ,10 March

Magdy Al-Galad steps down

GMT 09:47 2017 Sunday ,12 March

Cat Camp in New York attracts cat lovers

GMT 14:57 2016 Friday ,09 September

Madonna, Ritchie settle child custody dispute

GMT 23:52 2017 Monday ,18 September

UAE economic growth boosting logistics sector
Arab Today, arab today
 
 Arab Today Facebook,arab today facebook  Arab Today Twitter,arab today twitter Arab Today Rss,arab today rss  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
arabstoday, Arabstoday, Arabstoday