Barcelona to insert "anti-Pique" clause in players contracts

There seems to be another revolution just around the corner at FC Barcelona. Reports on Friday suggested that Ernesto Valverde’s time on the bench at the Camp Nou is coming to an end, with former midfield icon Xavi tipped to be his successor. This morning’s headlines in Spanish sports daily ABC claim that the Blaugrana will now insert a clause into every player’s contract banning them from using social media platforms whilst also cutting down their off-field commitments.

The journal goes on to describe the new ruling as an “anti-Pique” clause with the central defender having a huge social media presence which many club insiders feel contributed to a particularly poor performance in last year’s match against Leganes. The former Manchester United man was accused of spending more time helping to organise a new version of tennis’ Davis Cup, than ensuring he was 100 per-cent focused on a game that Barcelona went on to win 2-1.

ABC goes on to state that players will only be allowed to concentrate on their off-field activities if they have been officially sanctioned by the club, despite Pique declaring that; “It gets a lot of attention, but this circus is like that. I do my job. I come here and play football, and then I also do my own things."

Pique found himself at the centre of controversy when he tweeted that Brazilian superstar Neymar was staying at the Camp Nou, shortly before he completed his mega-money move to Paris Saint-Germain.