Pique to break silence over Spain controversy

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has called an impromptu press conference for Thursday at which he is expected to break his silence on being booed by Spain fans last weekend.

The defender was subjected to jeers by a certain section of the home fans every time he touched the ball in Saturday's Euro 2016 qualifier against Slovakia in Oviedo, while he was also castigated in the media for being photographed emerging from a nightclub in the early hours of the following morning.

A number of Pique's Spain team-mates, including Cesc Fabregas, subsequently came out in support of the Blaugrana centre-half, while La Roja coach Vicente del Bosque called for an end to the "shameful" behaviour of some fans, stating: "If people came along to watch football, they would appreciate him and not boo him."

However, the 28-year-old's conduct, his public support for the pro-Catalan movement and alleged anti-Madrid sentiment continue to cause much controversy in Spain, with his international colleague Sergio Ramos only adding fuel to the fire when he claimed that Pique has not "helped" himself with his recent behaviour.

Consequently, Pique is now expected to defend himself at a specially arranged press conference on Thursday, with the former Manchester United ace expected to face the media approximately 30-60 minutes after Barcelona's morning training session, which is scheduled to get under way at 11:00CET.