Gerard Pique open to quitting Spain after police brutality over Catalonia referendum led to Barcelona playing Las Palmas behind closed doors

BARCELONA star Gerard Pique could quit the Spain team after violent clashes between Spanish police and Catalonians during their independence referendum.

The 30-year-old World Cup winner was distraught after the brutal confrontations led to the 3-0 Barcelona win over Las Palmas being played behind closed doors.

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Speaking to reporters at the Nou Camp, visibly upset, Pique said he still wanted to represent Spain but admitted his dedication to the Catalan cause could force him out.

He said: “Well backing the referendum, you can then vote yes or no [for independence]. Or you can spoil your paper but you vote.

“During many years people could not vote here and this is a right that should be defended by all means within the law possible.

“I am Catalan and I feel Catalan and today more than ever I feel proud of the Catalan people.

“I think I can keep playing for the Spain team because I think that there are many many people throughout the country that are completely against the acts we have seen today and who believe in the democracy.

“If the Spain manager or the Spanish FA think I'm a problem then I have no problem in stepping aside and leaving the team.”

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Pique also explained the fractious situation inside the stadium where there were doubts about the game going ahead before it was decided to play behind closed doors.

The centre-back revealed that Barcelona team-mates clashed over whether they should boycott the match all together.

The defender said: “There was no act of aggression from the people today and yet the police have acted in the way that they have acted today.

“It was very difficult to play without our supporters and after all that has happened throughout Catalonia. It was my worse experience as a player.

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“Grandparents have gone with their grandchildren today and have tried to vote and the images speak for themselves.

“All the protests have been non-violent but everyone has seen the way police reacted today and I think there will be consequences.'

“There were arguments to play the game today just as there were arguments to not play the game.

“In the end the league and Las Palmas wanted to play the game.

"There were all sorts of opinions and in the end the club made the decision to play the game.

“My opinion doesn't matter very much. Lots of players expressed an opinion before the game.

"The club decided to play and we united behind that decision.

“But I understand perfectly why a lot of the supporters will think that the team should not have played this game today.”