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Barcelona’s Xavi on suing journalists: ‘I will not tolerate lies’

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Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández confirmed on Friday that he’s taking authorized motion in opposition to two journalists he stated made up tales about him.

Experiences surfaced this week claiming Xavi was not proud of one report that stated he demanded his teaching workers all put their telephones on the desk so he might decide if there was a leak from his personal staff.

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One other story centred on a journalist who claimed Xavi messaged him complaining about criticism he had printed, which was denied by sources near the Barça boss on the time with the reporter in query later backtracking.

“I perceive criticism however there’s a line,” Xavi stated in a information convention forward of Saturday’s LaLiga recreation in opposition to Las Palmas on the Olympic Stadium.

“I will not tolerate lies or individuals inventing issues. It’s time to say sufficient, they’re huge lies, so now’s the second to behave.”

Xavi has criticised the media on a number of events this season, suggesting in December that damaging press was affecting his staff’s performances.

After reaching the Champions League quarterfinals this month, he then singled out and condemned an article from December which had advised Barça had been the “joke” of Europe’s elite competitors.

The extraordinary media surroundings which surrounds the membership was one of many elements behind his January announcement that he’ll step down on the finish of the season.

Since then, Barça have been unbeaten in 10 video games, reaching the final eight of the Champions League for the primary time since 2020 and climbing to second in LaLiga, though they continue to be eight factors behind leaders Actual Madrid.

It has led to requires Xavi, who led Barça to the LaLiga title final season, to backtrack on his resolution and decide to taking cost of the Catalan facet subsequent yr.

“I’m grateful that individuals need me to remain, however nothing has modified, I’m pondering of the membership’s greatest pursuits,” he added.

Barça’s current kind has been underpinned by the emergence of Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí, who aged 16 and 17 respectively are already internationals with Spain.

Attacker Yamal starred for his nation in Tuesday’s 3-3 draw in opposition to Brazil, incomes a standing ovation from the Santiago Bernabéu crowd, whereas defender Cubarsí got here off the bench in that recreation after making his debut in opposition to Colombia final Friday.

“They’ve to take care of their stage — Barça is the best rung of world soccer,” Xavi stated when requested in regards to the subsequent step for the 2 kids.

“Many have arrived [at the elite level], however sustaining it is vitally tough, however they’ll, they’ve the whole lot, the mentality, the capability … I feel we’re taking a look at two gamers who can outline an period on the membership, and even in world soccer.”

Ferran Torres will return from damage for Las Palmas’ go to this weekend, whereas Jules Koundé, Ronald Araújo and Robert Lewandowski are all match after choosing up minor knocks on worldwide obligation this week.

Andreas Christensen is out with an damage, although, with Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Alejandro Balde and Gavi nonetheless sidelined.