After Gerard Pique endured a difficult weekend, Vicente del Bosque has leaped to the Spain veteran's defense.
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque says Gerard Pique had permission for his night out Saturday, which came hours after the defender was booed by sections of supporters during the win over Slovakia.
Pique was subjected to taunts and jeers at the Estadio Nuevo Carlos Tartiere in Oviedo, after the defender's popularity took a hit because of a foul-mouthed rant at an assistant referee during the Supercopa de Espana in August. The Barcelona center back earned a four-match ban for the tirade.