Gerard Pique says he may be forced to quit the Spanish national team as a result of the political unrest in Catalonia.
He was in tears after Barcelona’s 3-0 victory over Las Palmas on Sunday. The game was played at an empty stadium after the LFP refused their request for a postponement.
Heavy handed Spanish police raided polling stations across Catalonia in order to stop their vote for independence.
The club criticised police and displayed the word "democracy" on their big screen during the match.
Spanish authorities have declared the referendum illegal and police used force to stop men and women from exercising their right to vote.
"Out of the 2,262,424 ballots that were not seized, 2,020,144 were YES votes, 176,566 were NO votes, 45,586 in blank and 20,129 null votes"
— Catalan Government (@catalangov) October 1, 2017
The region is not recognised as a separate nation under the Spanish constitution.
Officers used batons and rubber bullets to remove people from polling stations across the region, with footage emerging on social media showing police seizing ballot boxes and smashing their way in to polling centres.
"After what has transpired it has been my worst experience as a professional.
"It's been a hard day for families, children, grandparents and the images speak for themselves. The protests didn't have any type of violence and the images have now been seen around the world.
"The club committee tried to postpone the game then they came to the dressing room and, as a club, we debated it and decided to play.
VIDEO: Spanish police fire rubber bullets at #CatalanReferendum voters - @XabiBarrena pic.twitter.com/TdpoWR4HqA
— Conflict News (@Conflicts) October 1, 2017
"I go to play with the national team because I believe in democracy and there are a lot of people in Spain who don't agree with what has happened today," Pique said after the game.
"The person who goes with the national team, isn't the most patriotic, you have to go and perform to your maximum.
“It's not a competition of patriotism, it's about going and giving all you can to win - that's how I understand it."
"If anyone in the federation believes I should not be there, I will step aside.”
The Spanish police are now beating up Catalan firefighters. This is an absolute shocker. #CatalanReferendum pic.twitter.com/zJeTATJQxJ
— Owen Jones🌹 (@OwenJones84) October 1, 2017
The Spanish Prime Minister said there was "no referendum" in Catalonia yesterday and police acted "serenely" #catalanreferendum pic.twitter.com/BXh8rKSp9t
— Press Association (@PA) October 2, 2017
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