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MADRID: Barcelona right-back Dani Alves complained in the wake of his team's 4-0 victory against Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday that “everything Barcelona do is frowned upon.”
The Brazilian was referring to the booking of Gerard Pique towards the end of the match that many believe was provoked by the central defender.
The yellow card means that Pique will miss Saturday's home clash with Levante, but then will be free to feature in the Clasico against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on December 10.
“Once again Barcelona are being closely scrutinized, everything we do is frowned upon,” Alves told Punto Pelota.
“We will just keep focusing on what we are doing and not pay any attention to comments coming from outside the club from people who are trying to unsettle us.”
Barcelona have denied that Pique deliberately forced the booking, instead pointing out that the referee's post-match report made no mention of any intent on the part of the player.
Referee Miguel Angel Perez Lasa acknowledged that Pique was booked for “delaying the taking of a throw-in in order to waste time.”
Real Madrid became embroiled in a similar controversy last season, when coach Jose Mourinho ordered Sergio Ramos and Xabi Alonso to get themselves sent off in a Champions League match away to Ajax and thereby guarantee their availability for the last 16 of the competition.
Mourinho was handed a one-match ban and a fine by UEFA following the incident, while Alonso and Ramos were also fined.
