Barcelona defender Gerard Pique says he is prepared to stop playing for the Spanish national team if there is an issue surrounding his position on Catalan Independence.

Pique said: ‘‘I think I can stay with the national team because I think there are a lot of people in Spain that are completely against what has happened in Catalonia. I can also say that if a coach or any official of the Spanish Federation thinks I am disruptive. I don`t have a problem to step down and leave Spain’s national team before 2018.”

The thirty year old was cheered as he cast his vote in the Catalan Independence referendum on Sunday. He then starred on the pitch as Barcelona beat Las Palmas 3-0 at the Nou Camp. The game was played behind closed doors for security reasons and Barcelona’s players warmed up for the game wearing colours of the Catalan flag.