Barcelona fullback Jordi Alba has rapped football chief Eric Abidal over his critical comments this week.

In an interview with Sport, among several topics touched upon was the dismissal of Ernesto Valverde, with Abidal claiming many of the players wanted the coach to be removed.

The statements drew a furious online response from captain Lionel Messi and Alba added to the tension last night, telling RMC: "We get enough **** outside without the need to throw it inside.

"The players and the technical staff face each other. (Eric) Abidal is not an outsider, he has been a player, he is appreciated by supporters and knows what is going on in a locker room. He must know how a football player feels. We must all help each other."