FC Barcelona to join Catalonia strike – as their defender Gerard Pique is jeered in Madrid during training with Spain
No teams will train and club HQ will close in protest against government attempts to stop independence referendum
FC Barcelona is joining a strike to protest against the Spanish government’s actions in Catalonia’s independence vote – as their outspoken defender Gerard Pique was jeered by spectators at Spain’s training camp in Madrid.
Barcelona said none of their professional or youth teams will train on Tuesday, and the club headquarters will be closed as a reaction to government attempts to stop the referendum on Sunday. Officials said more than 890 civilians and some 430 members of the police force were injured.
Girona also suspended training on Tuesday, and Espanyol, the other Catalan club in the Spanish league, will have its players undergo physical activities behind closed doors at its training camp.
Pique, who supports an independent Catalonia, was booed constantly as Spain trained. He endured chants, sometimes laced with expletives, of “Spain is your nation.” Some held cards against him, including one that read “Out Pique.” Policed deemed one of the cards too offensive and removed it.
Pique is often jeered by fans when Spain plays outside Catalonia.
