Barcelona Cancels Match Against Ittihad Riadi Tangier
FC Barcelona has officially canceled its upcoming pre-season friendly match against Moroccan club Ittihad Riadi Tangier, which was scheduled to take place on August 15. This decision comes in response to escalating concerns regarding the ongoing border crisis in Ceuta, a Spanish enclave located in North Africa that shares its border with Morocco. The cancellation reflects the current geopolitical climate, which has rendered the situation too unstable for the club to proceed with the match.
In a public statement, the Catalan giants expressed their position, emphasizing that the prevailing circumstances made it inappropriate to hold the fixture. "In light of the current uncertainty and circumstances, FC Barcelona considers playing the match would be inappropriate," the club stated, clearly indicating their commitment to prioritizing safety and security over sporting events.
While the club did not explicitly cite the border crisis as the reason for the match's cancellation, the decision has been widely interpreted as a direct response to the heightened tensions surrounding Ceuta. This territory has recently experienced an unprecedented influx of migrants crossing from Morocco, raising significant humanitarian and security concerns. Although Spanish authorities have managed to return a number of these migrants, thousands remain in Ceuta as efforts to stabilize the situation continue.
Impact on Barcelona's Pre-Season Schedule
The cancellation of this friendly is not the first disruption to Barcelona's pre-season preparations. An earlier planned match against Preston North End was also called off following the club's training camp in the United Kingdom, where they faced off against Birmingham City. Looking ahead, Barcelona is expected to continue their pre-season preparations with a friendly match against Nottingham Forest in Udine, Italy. This will be followed by a clash against Egyptian champions Al Ahly on August 19.
As the Spanish champions gear up to defend their La Liga title, they will kick off their campaign on August 23 with an opening match against Elche. The club remains focused on ensuring that their players are well-prepared for the upcoming season while navigating the complexities of the current geopolitical climate.
As reported by tvcnews.tv.
