Barcelona president Joan Laporta was tightlipped yesterday about the problems engulfing Gerard Pique.

Laporta is keeping his own counsel publicy on the leaked recordings between Pique and RFEF president Luis Rubiales over the move to Saudi Arabia of the Supercopa.

He would only said, "Piqué is committed, he always plays for Barça. This season he has sometimes played with discomfort and has had to make an extra effort.

"He is a reference within the team."

Laporta also stated: "At Barça we never give up and we are fighters par excellence. In football anything can happen. Yesterday Elche won at Betis and that goes well for us."