Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez claims “the people are happy in Qatar”, despite there being “no democratic regime”.
Xavi has spent the past two years in Qatar with Al Sadd, and the 37-year-old was asked about how the tension in Catalonia compared to life under monarchist rule in the Middle East.
“There’s been tension [in Catalonia], people have taken to the streets and I decided to put my name forward,” he told La Vanguardia.
“I’m not in favour of independence, but in favour of the right to decide, so what’s the problem? We’ve voted again and there’s a clear majority that wants the referendum.
“Sometimes I think, ‘Xavi, if you speak, you’ll be criticised in Madrid’, but I have to do it. The situation is outrageous.
“We’re only asking for a referendum. There’s a democratic deficit on the Government’s part.
“Qatar? My country isn’t Qatar. It’s true that there’s no democratic regime, but the people are happy.
“They’re delighted with the royal family, they give them a salary just for living in the country and they take care of their citizens.”
