Pique insists on his loyalty to Spain national team

FC Barcelona and Spain defender Gerard Pique called a surprise and frank press conference on Thursday in the wake of the controversy he has found himself embroiled in.

Pique was booed and whistled during Spain's game against Slovakia in Oviedo on Saturday night and also received abuse when he celebrated his side's 2-0 win in a nightclub in nearby later that night.

Tuesday saw Real Madrid defender, Sergio Ramos, Pique's partner in the Spanish back line, said that certain comments Pique had made about Real Madrid, as well as the defender's declarations that fans should be able to express themselves, following the booing of the Spanish national anthem in the Cup final between Barca and Athletic Club Bilbao, were key factors in the treatment he had received.

Speaking to the press, Pique said nobody could doubt his commitment to the Spain national team, despite the fact he has openly supported the right for the Catalan region of Spain to hold a referendum on its independence.

"It's not a question of the relationship between Catalonia and Spain and my comprise with the Spain team has been maximum," said Pique. "I made my debut with the Spain Under-15 team in 2003."

"The last thing I would do is to leave the national team, that would mean those who boo me have won. As long as the coach wants me to go, I will never let him down," he insisted, adding that the prospect of playing for a Catalan national team was "a hypothesis."

"I don't play (for Spain) for prestige or money. I am in a team (Barca) which has won a treble and a sextet. I think it is correct for me to play for the Spanish national team," explained Pique.

Pique added that the whistles upset him, "more for the team than for me. I have heard them in a lot of grounds for a long time. People have the right to express themselves and I will try to change their opinion, with actions not with words."

Pique said he had a good relationship with Ramos, but insisted that he was not only a Barcelona player, but also a fan and as a result. "I hope Real Madrid always lose, that is sporting rivalry and I'm not going to apologize for that, however that does not stop me being friends with Real Madrid players."

Finally Pique said he wasn't worried about how his words would be received in the capital. "If I get booed in Madrid that is like a symphony for me," he concluded. Endit