'I smoke when I want' - Mathieu

 

The Catalunya club's new defender insists he does not indulge in cigarettes too regularly but stressed he should be judged on his performances on the pitch

Barcelona new boy Jeremy Mathieu defended his smoking habit and risked a backlash from his new club by insisting he will smoke when he wants.

The Catalunya club bought the French centre-back for €20 million from Valencia last month in a bid to bolster their options at the back following the departure of Carles Puyol.

However, some fans have been critical about signing a 30-year-old for such a high figure and the social media furore around Mathieu smoking has not helped his antagonists warm to him, but he stressed that he hopes he can be judged on the pitch rather than for his personal choices off it.

"I do not smoke much but I do smoke when I want," Mathieu is quoted by Marca as saying on Friday. "It is a personal thing.

"What actually matters is what happens on the field and people forget that I go running. I want the best for the team, above my own personal goals."

Barcelona will probably not be particularly pleased with Mathieu's attitude towards smoking. Last year they partnered with the European Commission to launch an anti-smoking campaign and Camp Nou is now a smoke-free stadium.

Spanish regional newspaper Superdeporte claims that Valencia repeatedly attempted to address Mathieu's smoking habit - even allegedly speaking to the defender's wife - but their efforts were in vain, suggesting that Barca may have just as little success if they try to talk him out of it.