Gerard Pique booed by Spain fans during Albania World Cup qualifier after Barcelona star’s comments about Catalan Independence referendum
GERARD PIQUE was heavily booed by his own fans during Spain's World Cup win over Albania.
Some even CHEERED when he took a nasty blow to the face.
The noise was deafening inside the Estadio Jose Rico Perez every time the Barcelona defender touched the ball in the 3-0 win that clinched their spot at Russia 2018.
Ahead of the game Pique has threatened to walk away from Spain duty if he felt he was not wanted.
And supporters at Hercules' stadium left Pique in no doubt what they felt about him when the game kicked off.
There was an extraordinary noise in the stadium in the 14th minute when Pique was caught by the elbow of Albania striker Azdren Llullaku.
As the game wore on more fans began to cheer, but that only led to the negative noise being ratcheted up.
Pique picked up a booking three minutes after the break, meaning he will miss Spain's final qualifier in Israel on Monday.
The former Manchester United defender was subbed off on the hour-mark with some fans affording him a standing ovation, while others loudly heckled.
The build-up to the game was dominated with the abuse Pique received from Spain fans at training and talk of a rift with Real Madrid skipper Sergio Ramos.
But there appeared to be no problem in the warm-up, with the two high-fiving before kick-off.
The 30-year-old World Cup winner was distraught after the brutal confrontations led to Barca's 3-0 win over Las Palmas being played behind closed doors.
After the game, a 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.”