Barcelona's Gerard Pique has criticised police violence against Catalan referendum voters.
Gerard Pique was targeted by angry Spain fans on Monday as he took part in an open training session with the national team the day after the illegal Catalonia independence referendum.
The Catalan defender, who voted in the referendum and has criticised police violence against voters which resulted in hundreds of injuries, has long been targeted by Spain fans but Monday's barrage of insults was particularly severe.
Spain supporters at the Las Rozas training facility in Madrid jeered, whistled and chanted at Pique to leave the team, who are preparing for two World Cup qualifiers, brandishing banners carrying insults aimed at him.
Spanish media reported that police confiscated some of the banners, including one which described Pique as "sickening".
Pique had voted in the Catalonia independence referendum before Barcelona's match against Las Palmas at the Camp Nou.
"I have voted. Together we are unstoppable in our defence of democracy," wrote Pique.
However, Barcelona had play closed door against Las Palmas.
Speaking to the press after the match, Pique was inconsolable. "It was a really difficult game to play. It was my worst experience as a professional," the lanky defender fought back tears. "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."
Pique had already said that he would leave the national team if asked to by coach Julen Lopetegui or the Spanish Football Association. He has already announced that he will retire from international duty after the 2018 World Cup in Russia, having grown tired of being criticised by Spain supporters.
Pique has played 91 times for his country and was a member of the squad that won the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championship.
Group G leaders Spain, three points clear of second-placed Italy, are aiming to seal a place at the finals in qualifiers at home to Albania on Oct. 6 and away to Israel three days later.
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