Barcelona reportedly told Xavi Hernandez he was “not welcome” at the club’s most recent ‘Legends’ game following an explosive interview he gave during the club’s presidential election campaign.
Xavi has featured in Barca Legends games since hanging up his boots but was conspicuous by his absence in the recent match in Seoul.
Reports from Diario AS and Catalunya Radio claim that Xavi was left out on purpose and and was informed he was not welcome.
“After leaving, I decided not to make any statements out of respect for Barça. People know how much I love the club, my whole family are Barça fans…,” he said. “I feel the need to explain myself; it’s inside me, and I need to clarify it.
”That’s how this Barça works, it’s practically run by Alejandro Echevarría. He was someone with whom I had a close, friendly relationship, and that’s why his departure from Barça is perhaps the biggest disappointment. He completely let me down.”
Echevarría plays a key role in squad selection for the Legends games and has reportedly vetoed Xavi’s involvement for the time being.
The ban is not expected to be permanent but Barca want some time to pass before the situation is resolved.
