League | Xavi apologizes and qualifies his comments on Dani Alves

FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez apologized on Sunday for statements made the day before in which he appeared to support former Brazilian teammate Dani Alves, who has been in pre-trial detention since Thursday following sexual assault allegations .

“Yesterday what I wanted to say about Dani Alves was misinterpreted. Maybe I wasn’t specific enough with my words and it’s important that I explain myself”Xavi said in his press conference after Barca’s 1-0 win over Getafe on Sunday. “It’s a very delicate subject and yesterday (Saturday) I forgot to mention the victims. We must condemn all these types of acts, whether it was Dani or someone else who committed them. my apologies to the victim, to the victims of gender-based violence and this type of aggression”continued the Spanish technician, believing that this “was not an appropriate comment”.

During the match watch conference, Xavi said he was “in shock”, “surprised and shocked” by the sexual assault charges brought against Dani Alves by a 23-year-old girl. “I feel very bad for him”he added without referring to the alleged victim.

The 39-year-old Brazilian player was promptly fired by Mexican club Pumas after he was arrested after a judge ordered him held without bail in Barcelona on Thursday. Alves, who played eight seasons at Barcelona between 2008 and 2016, returned to the Catalan club for a short spell last term under Xavi’s management.