Fernandez defends Bartomeu and calls for calm

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Robert Fernandez called for calm from Barcelona fans as he defended under-fire club president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

Barcelona sporting director Robert Fernandez defended Josep Maria Bartomeu after the club president came under fire again on Saturday.

A Lionel Messi hat-trick inspired Barca to a 5-0 win over Espanyol, but a section of fans at Camp Nou chanted calling for the resignation of Bartomeu.

Bartomeu has been criticised in the wake of Neymar's world-record €222million sale to Paris Saint-Germain, and Barca's struggles to find a replacement.

"We have had a difficult month. The most important thing in these moments is to remain calm," he said.

"In complicated situations, with the summer we've had, calm is necessary. If we let time pass a little, we will see things differently. We respect all opinions, but the last two, three weeks have been complicated.

"The people that have had to explain things have not done it well. That includes me, among others, but also the media.

"And there are things which aren't true. News has come out which isn't real and these things do damage and create unpleasant situations."

Barca's win over Espanyol was their third from as many league games, seeing them sit top of the table by two points.