“We Don’t Dive, We Don’t Buy Referees” – Amid FC Barcelona’s Corruption Scandal, Gerard Pique’s Decade-Back Statement Resurfaces

Gerard Pique is soccer’s one of the greatest defenders of all time. The player enjoyed a stellar career internationally, winning the prestigious World Cup and Euros with Spain. Soon he ended his spell in England to make a return to Camp Nou, where he made the majority of his fond memories, thus winning 30 trophies. The player recently hung up his boots, thus putting a full stop to his beautiful soccer career. Pique has also been very active off the pitch and has made certain comments in his soccer career which grabbed a lot of attention.

And one of his old comments has come back to the surface and is very relevant to Barcelona’s current scenario. 

Proud comments of Gerard Pique resurface

During his time in Barcelona, Pique made an interesting remark many years ago that has resurfaced following his club’s scandal. A clip has been posted on Twitter where the former Spain international makes quite strong claims about his childhood club. In the video, he said, “We don’t take drugs, we don’t dive, we don’t buy referees, we just play football.”

The video is from Barcelona’s 2011 title celebration, where the defender was giving this speech. That year, Barcelona came very close to securing their second treble as they finished second in the league.

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The Catalans managed to win all five trophies except La Liga, which Real Madrid won. Maybe the comments implied that the Los Blancos, whom Pique claims, won by paying referees.

Barcelona in huge turmoil

Pique’s comments may bring a smile to Barca fans’ faces. However, the comments now seem quite ironic, as the club itself is guilty of corruption. The Blaugrana are being charged with allegations of paying the vice president of the Spanish soccer referee committee.

The club’s previous board leader, Josep Maria Bartomeu, who was president from 2014 to 2020, is facing charges alongside Sandro Rosell, who was president from 2010 to 2014.

Besides them, the vice president of the referee committee, Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, is also facing charges by the prosecutor’s office. Reports suggest that the payments were in the millions, due to which the club may suffer unfavorable circumstances, including expulsion from the UEFA Champions League.

Furthermore, the club can be penalized heavily, and the previous board leaders from 2010–2020 will face up to four years in jail. The courts will now decide if the funds helped the club influence matches or not. Barcelona is already in turmoil, and further allegations may damage the club even more. Only time will tell what is going to happen regarding the situation.

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