Barcelona full-back Dani Alves has called the Spanish media "garbage" in an apparent response to coverage of Wednesday's Copa del Rey victory over Espanyol.
Alves' teammate Luis Suarez was suspended two games for an incident that allegedly occurred in the tunnel after Barca's 4-1 win at the Camp Nou.
After Suarez's ban came down on Friday, Alves expressed his disappointment with the media's coverage of the reported brawl.
"With each day that passes I feel more ashamed to be associated with this sport because of how they use us and how they play with us," Alves wrote on Instagram.
"I thought that each one of us went out to defend our colours, our teams; I thought win or lose, I would go home and reflect on the bad things we had done -- or to enjoy the good things.
"These days we are objects used by the press for their own benefit, so that they can sell newspapers.
"All the time they are talking less about football, strategies, plays, dribbles on goals, saves, the spectacular moments.
"What f------ garbage you are #morefootballlessrubbish #goodcrazy."
Barcelona moved to distance themselves from Alves' post by releasing a statement that read: "Beyond the views, which the player can express freely, FC Barcelona feels the need to clarify that it does not support or share the offensive views published."
The Spanish Sports Press Association (AEPD) has warned it could take legal action against the player.
The AEPD released a statement, which read: "The Spanish Sports Press Association abhors and condemns these words and demands a public rectification by the player while possible legal action is being looked into, as, according to lawyers that have been consulted, 'such declarations may be subject to criminal proceedings.'
"The AEPD hopes that Alves, a truly great player and peculiar person, who may criticise the media and is in his right to make the declarations that may please him, will reflect on his actions and take back his words, so that football only appears in the news for the values that it represents."