Cesc: "If Piqué did not want to play he would not be here"

Cesc Fábregas, a big friend of Gerard Piqué, has defended the ability of being Catalan and wanting independence and playing for the Spanish national team, saying that the Barcelona centre-back, who he says has been brave in one aspect, would otherwise not want to play for ‘La Roja’.

“It is clear that Piqué has very clear ideas and if he does not want to play for the Spanish national team he would not be here,” he said in an interview with Radio Marca. “His presence in La Diada [the National Day of Catalonia] for me was nothing because, for example, Xavi was also there and he is a player who is loved by Spain and who is one of the most committed players in the history of the team,” he added.

Cesc said that he feels Catalan and that he supports and wears the shirt of Spain.

“I feel Catalan, but I’m Spanish. I understand everything about this because we are a country that likes this debate a lot. There are players who feel Catalan or Basque but in sport we are all Spaniards, we are comfortable playing for the national team and we are not going to think about being Catalan at the same time. Mixing sports and politics is very bad,” he said.

Fabregas made it clear that his friend Piqué plays for the Spanish team because he wants to be involved. “Ultimately, he arrives here with the squad and he has said publically that he wants to be here, he could say that he does not want to be part of the squad. He wants to win and he wants to play for the team.”

“In my case I was always more than happy to be involved. I’m very happy to be in the Spanish national team, to play in a great team and to win trophies and I’m always happy here,” he added.

“I feel as Catalan as the next guy but if you look at my passport I’m Spanish, I’m proud to play for my country. I have a clear conscience knowing who I am and what I want,” he said.

Cesc also favoured the referendum for independence in Catalonia. “On November 9 I think people have to vote and be free to show what they think. If people want to they should be able to because there is no damage done to anyone. It is like what happened in Scotland, people should be able to decide what they want.”

The Chelsea player also referred to the brush with coach Vicente del Bosque during the World Cup. “Maybe I was not right but I talked to the coach, who has always been good to me, and it is forgotten.”

from Últimas noticias | Diario AS http://ift.tt/1q4Muov

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