I will defend my players to death – Zidane fires back at Pique

I will defend my players to death – Zidane fires back at Pique – Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane, has hit back at Gerard Pique after the Barcelona defender went on a Twitter rant at referees in Spain.

Barcelona defender Pique seemed to suggest that officials favored Madrid, as they fought back from two goals down to beat Villarreal 3-2 last week.

“Against the same teams. 8 points. Those clips are from the Madrid press, if you doubted,” Pique wrote, along with press cuttings from AS and Marca.

Zidane has now blasted the Spain international for his disrespect of the officials.

“Everyone can air their views,” Zidane said.

“Nobody can stop that. But there’s no truth in what he says. We do what we do out on the pitch and I am proud of my players because they respect referees.

“We try to entertain the paying public. Madrid has always been a professional club and respectful towards football.

“I don’t interfere with the referee’s job, and nor do my players; they have a lot of respect for what match officials do. I have a fantastic group of players in that respect; all they want is to do things right.

“I can understand that might annoy some people. I am very proud of my players because they have a great deal of respect referees and the job they do. I’ll defend them to the death.”

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