Barcelona defender Gerard Pique insists he can handle the abuse from Spain fans this week.

Pique spoke yesterday to local media after being barracked by La Roja fans at training for his pro-independence stand.

He said: "The whistles? It's not violence, just whistles.

"I am here to answer, with dialogue we can calm things down. It requires respect and coherence, no matter what my ideas are. I'm here because the coach and my team-mates want it.

"I always wanted to play for Spain."