Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic provided some clarity on his outing in Seville after Barcelona’s 4-0 defeat against Liverpool.

The Croatian had attended the Feria de Abril and was pictured with smiling with fans last Wednesday.

Rakitic was heavily criticised, given the mood in the camp after such a humiliating defeat. He provided some explanation in addition to apologies.

“I don’t have any problem with saying sorry,” he said after Sunday’s 2-0 win over Getafe, according to Marca.

“I’m a father and husband, and family is the most important thing to me.

“I went to Seville to be with my family.

“Someone asked me for a photo and I never say no.

“I accept the opinions, but football is 100 per cent of my life.

“I’m responsible and I only want the best for my team-mates and for me.”

The midfielder also met some members of the Boixos Nois (Barcelona ultras) support group and explained himself to them.

“I don’t know how this got out,” he said.

“They’re two people that I know.

“They were speaking with me, it was positive and they gave me their support.”