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Barcelona vice-president Jordi Cardoner has leapt to the defence of Gerard Pique after the defender's latest controversial comments about rivals Real Madrid. Pique, 30, spoke out this week about Madrid's values, alleging that members of the club had been causing trouble for Barca stars Lionel Messi and Neymar, possibly referring to the duo's recent legal problems. Marca reports that Madrid are considering taking legal action against the Spain international, who also said he does not like that those in the "Real box seat pull the country's strings." Cardoner is quoted as saying by La Vanguardia: "Gerard Pique has not told a lie and Barca will always be on the side of the truth. "The truth does not have to start a conflict. From what I heard, Pique expressed a free opinion and exercised his freedom of expression. He didn't disrespect anyone. He has spoken clearly and at times that clarity can offend." La Liga president Javier Tebas believes Pique's comments were unfortunate but does not believe they will lead to problems when Madrid host Barca on April 23 in La Liga. He told Marca: "Pique made a mistake, that is all. I don't think his comments generate violence but tension." Spain's supreme court scheduled a hearing for the appeal of Messi and his father Jorge against a 21-month prison sentence for tax fraud on April 20, three days before Barca take on Madrid, according to reports. Messi and his father were handed a 21-month suspended sentence by a court in Barcelona on July 6 after being found guilty of three counts of tax fraud. "I hope the supreme court exonerates Messi, just as I would want if it was Cristiano [Ronaldo]," Tebas said.
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