Pique tells fans chanting ‘what the f*** is Spain?’ to calm down during Catalonia’s win over Venezuela

GERARD PIQUE demanded Catalonia fans show so some respect after it was claimed they chanted "what the f*** is Spain?" during a match.

The Barcelona defender was in action as Catalonia beat Venezuela 2-1 in Girona last night.

Former World Cup and Euros winner Pique, 32, retired from Spain duty after last year's World Cup.

But he picked up his tenth cap for the region and his first since calling quits on his time with Spain.

His performance became politicised, though, when he told a section of fans singing, "What the f*** is Spain?" to be quiet.

When asked about the chants, Pique said afterwards: "Respect, above all, but on all sides.

"In Catalonia we have to preach by example."

Tension is ongoing in Spain following the Catalan independence referendum in 2017.

The vote in favour of independence was deemed illegal by the Spanish government and led to violent clashes between police and protesters.

Catalonia is a semi-autonomous region in north eastern Spain with significant governing powers of its own.

Pique, who won 103 caps for Spain, has given his support for Catalan independence in the past - and so has Pep Guardiola.

He has been booed while playing for his country partly because of his stance on the issue.

Catalonia beat Venezuela - who stunned Lionel Messi's Argentina 3-1 last week - 2-1 thanks to goals from Stoke's Bojan and Espanyol's Javi Puado.