Barcelona president Joan Laporta has admitted he realized late that team coach Ronald Koeman would make a surprise statement at a news conference, but insisted he respected his right to speak as he wished.

Koeman surprised many by refusing to answer reporters’ questions and reading a statement before leaving the conference room on Wednesday.

Laporta has now revealed that he was announced by Koeman just shortly before he appeared at the pre-match conference with Cadiz.

“We understood at the last minute that he wanted to make that statement and he is obliged to go to the conference and is free to answer and speak as he pleases,” Laporta told Koeman.

“We respect the coach’s decision, but we and the captains understood it shortly before it happened,” he added.