Barcelona midfielder sheds lights on the hefty fines players had to pay under Xavi
Pedri’s statement on Xavi earlier in the season raised many eyebrows as the midfielder highlighted how the Barcelona team and the player himself feel more free under Hansi Flick.
This did not go too well with Xavi, who was reportedly upset with Pedri’s statement. He even went on to blame Joan Laporta, accusing him of motivating the statement.
Now, in a recent interview (h/t SPORT), Pedri has once again offered his thoughts on Xavi, revealing the sanctions that were imposed by the former coach during his time at the club.
Pedri on Xavi’s fines
Recalling some of the rules that were imposed by Xavi. He revealed that a majority of his sanctions were financial and not physical.
Pedri claimed that if a player had arrived late to training, he had to pay a minimum amount of €1,000 for each minute of delay.
With each additional minute after the first minute, the amount used to get doubled – meaning a three-minute delay used to incur up to €4,000.
What changed under Flick?
Pedri, though, confirmed that this system no longer exists under new coach Hansi Flick, who has employed a more consequential sanction.
Pedri added that under Flick, a player arriving late to training will not be a starter or even participate in the next match.
This rule is certainly more punishing and is perhaps a better way to regulate the players, as opposed to issuing a fine.
Pedri on his English
Finally, Pedri also reflected on his English, admitting that he is not a very good speaker. He went on to recall an incident where he had to take a photo with actor Tom Hiddleston.
However, when he approached for a photo, the actor wanted to have a chat with Pedri, who confessed that he had significant problems trying to understand what Tom was saying.
Pedri even resorted to the classic ‘yes, yes’ to get out of the awkward encounter with Hiddleston, who plays ‘Loki’ in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.