Xavi: “Footballing respect is what’s important”

The Barça midfielder reckons it’s perfectly normal that the Espanyol players offer a guard of honour to the new League champions this Sunday: “in the same way we had to when Real Madrid were crowned champions”. 

“Casilla said this Wednesday that the players would do it. I understand their fans but footballing respect is what’s important”, according to Xavi. 

The Catalan was speaking after picking up the Premi Barça Jugadors prize in recognition of his fair play during the 2011/12 season