The dispute over Catalonia’s independence referendum has spilled over into Spain’s national football team.

La Roja now face two decisive World Cup qualifiers while engulfed by unwanted talks about politics. At the centre of it all is veteran defender Gerard Pique, the outspoken Barcelona player who has strongly defended the Catalans.

His criticism of the Spanish government’s brutal crackdown on voters and peaceful protesters has polarised fans and attracted some unwanted attention to the national team.