Spain coach Julen lopetegui praised Gerard Pique's commitment to the national team and called on the squad to be focused only on football despite the crisis involving Catalonia's push for independence.
Pique, the outspoken Barcelona defender highly supportive of Catalans, was harassed by fans Monday when he reported to the national team's training camp in Madrid ahead of upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
lopetegui said in a radio interview with local radio station COPE on Monday night that the central defender remained "motivated" despite the abuse from fans. He said he talked to Pique and didn't think he was affected by it. He said Pique's "behavior with the national team has always been very good" and there was no reason not to have him on the team. "We don't analyze the player's political opinion," lopetegui said. "Gerard is an extraordinary central defender and he has been playing with the national team since he was 16. His commitment is tremendous. I don't see why I shouldn't bring him to the team. He is available and he wants to play. I know it's not an easy situation, but I am a football coach and I have to prioritize."