Luis Suarez: Espanyol fans crossed the line when targeting Pique's kids LaLiga - Barcelona "His reaction is understandable"

Espanyol were furious not only with Gerard Pique's late equaliser in last weekend's Catalan derby but also his manner of celebration, however Luis Suarez felt his teammates' actions were wholly justified.

LaLiga have already denounced chants and insults thrown by the home fans at RCDE Stadium towards the centre-back and his family while taking no action against the player himself.

"[Pique] has played many games, enduring many things," said Suarez to La Vanguardia.

"You have to agree with him because that was the least he could do after they got involved with his children and wife, that was the most serious.

"I know the love he has for his wife and children. You can mess with the player but, if you cross the line and target his children, his reaction is understandable."

When considering how he deals with the sort of verbal sledging that he is familiar with on the pitch, the Uruguayan forward made a point that it always remains on the pitch.

"I am of the theory that, if a rival insults me; he tells me that I am bad, he calls me everything, or he claims that he messes with my sister," continued Suarez.

"I will never go to the press to talk about it. I handle everything myself."

Barcelona travel to Estadio Mestalla on Thursday night for a Copa del Rey semi-final decider and Suarez hopes the lure of another final will motivate his team through the second leg.

"We're focused on the Copa now," he added. "It will be very difficult but we are close to another final.

"The Champions League is different. If you give away five or ten minutes of one game like we did last year, you will have a bad time."