Barcelona defender Gerard Pique insists the club's online PR scandal has not affected the players.

It's been claimed the board hired a PR firm to disparage critics, including current and ex-players, online.

The centre-back was one of the players mentioned in the report, but Pique is happy with president Josep Maria Bartomeu's explanation on the matter.

"I couldn't tell you if it bothered me; I'd say I don't care," Pique responded during Barcelona's pre-match press conference.

"In the end, social media is uncontrollable.

"It won't be the first time or the last.

"As for the president's explanations, as I saw him, I believed him.

"At least I believed that he didn't know.

"Because when we had the meeting, I saw him a little affected by it, but I wouldn't think twice about it.

"It's already done; it's blown up and it's already solved.

"Everything that isn't football will hurt us."