Iniesta urges talks to solve Catalan crisis

Iniesta has called on politicians to solve Catalonia's independence crisis by talking.

Barcelona club captain Andres Iniesta has called on those reponsible for the crisis in Catalonia to start talking.

There has been a lot of controversy and unrest in Catalonia over an independence referendum, which was ruled illegal by the Spanish government, and there have already been widespread consequences for sport.

Barcelona were forced to play their La Liga match against Las Palmas behind closed doors at the Camp Nou last week, while Gerard Pique was booed by Spanish fans when he trained with the national team earlier this week.

Now Iniesta has said the situation needs to be sorted, and it is time for the politicians to step up and help resolve the crisis.

Taking to his social media, the veteran midfielder said: “I have never publicly assessed such complex situations with different feelings involved, but this situation we live in is exceptional, and there is one thing I am clear about before we become more damaged: dialogue, the persons for everything, talk. Do it for all of us. We deserve to live in peace.”

The 33-year-old is currently out with a hamstring injury and will miss both of Spain’s final World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Israel.