The grandfather of Gerard Pique has come to the defence of the Barcelona centre-back and insisted there are only on-field issues at play.
Amador Bernabeu, a Barca member of 50 years’ standing and former vice-President, has spoken at length to Canal+, with his comments reported by AS.
“I think if the Coach has seen fit not to pick Pique, it’s been for sporting reasons. I don’t pay attention to other topics,” he said.
“He is a happy player who encourages the team and a player like that is needed at our club, with our big squad. Everything he brings is about optimism. Maybe sometimes his jokes are misinterpreted.
“The thing with the phone? There were others there watching [the phone] as well. If we were looking for people who are guilty, there would be more than just him.
“That’s not the issue. I’m convinced it is something to do with sport. The proof is that he is playing again. After he played for the national team I didn’t expect anything else.
“He played a game and a half [for Spain] and I thought he did well. I want to thank Vicente del Bosque because he has given extraordinary support, especially in what he has said that has done very well by the player.”
