Gerard Pique is a proud Catalan.
The Barcelona defender has participated in Catalan Independence marches in recent years. He makes to effort to hide his allegiances to the Senyera.
Ahead of Spain's game with Croatia, Pique appears to stick his middle finger up to the camera during the playing of the Spanish national anthem.
Did Pique just flick off everyone during the #ESP national anthem!? #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/WxfgYqEqtN
— M.A.J (@UItraSuristic) June 21, 2016
After the loss, Pique claimed he was only "crunching fingers during the anthem", but his excuse has not pleased everyone.
Me estoy crujiendo los dedos durante el himno. Dejemos de buscar polémicas donde no las hay e intentemos ganar la Eurocopa todos juntos.
— Gerard Piqué (@3gerardpique) June 21, 2016
Spain will face Italy in the Second Round this weekend in the Stade de France on Monday evening. A fitting venue for what will undoubtedly be the tie of the round.
Off the Ball is live from Lille tonight from 7pm with best of build-up and reaction as Ireland get set for a crucial game against Italy
