After Gerard Pique suggested that Real Madrid supporters could be behind the recent court cases of Neymar and Lionel Messi, Barcelona have positioned themselves firmly behind the defender.
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The centre-back is known for making outspoken comments against the capital outfit and was frank about his opinions in the mixed zone after Spain’s 2-0 victory over France at the Stade de France.
He hinted at his belief that there was a conspiracy against Barcelona’s players hatched in the stands of the Santiago Bernabeu by the country’s power brokers and that the Catalan side were being unfairly targeted.
Pique, however, has the backing of his club, with official Jordi Cardoner speaking out in his favour.
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“From what I have been able to read and from what I have heard, Pique has not lied and Barcelona are always on the side of the truth,” he is quoted by AS as having stated.
“Pique has expressed his opinion freely and we are in favour of freedom of expression. It may offend, but he has stated it very clearly.
“Our relationship with Madrid is courteous as always. Pique has not lied. And the club will always be next to the truth, that is, next to Pique.”
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Cardoner also commented on Lionel Messi’s four-match international ban, which was announced on Tuesday and caused him to miss the defeat to Bolivia.
“FIFA acts on its own initiative and it was surprising,” he said. “There was no warning or any reason why Messi was subsequently sanctioned and we simply find the punishment excessive.”
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