Pique in anthem gesture controversy

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique insisted he was merely crossing his fingers after being accused of raising his middle finger during the Spanish national anthem before his country’s game against Croatia. Pique, an outspoken supporter of a referendum for Catalan independence, was representing Spain for the 78th time. “I was crossing my fingers during the anthem,” Pique posted on his official Twitter account.“We should stop looking for controversy where there is none and try to win the Euros together. Spain coach Vicente del Bosque was also visibly annoyed at being asked about the incident. “I am here to talk about football” he said.

Cristiano Ronaldo threw a reporter’s microphone in a lake after objecting to being approached hours before Portugal’s crunch match against Hungary. Ronaldo, 31, has endured a frustrating time in France, hitting the post with his second-half penalty attempt in goal-less draw with Austria. The Real Madrid superstar was in no mood to talk when a reporter from the TV station of Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha approached him during a morning team walk at a lake in Lyon, just hours before kick-off. A video of the incident shows the reporter asking: “Ronaldo, ready for the game today?” But without a word or glance at the journalist, Ronaldo took his microphone and threw it in the lake, then carried on with the team stroll. —