Barcelona Calls Off Scheduled Friendly in Morocco
In a significant development, FC Barcelona has officially announced the cancellation of its planned friendly match in Tangier, Morocco, which was slated for August 15. This decision, reported by Mundo Deportivo, stems from recent events in Ceuta that have raised safety concerns, prompting the club to prioritize the well-being of its players and coaching staff. Sources familiar with the organizers indicated that the situation has become unsuitable for hosting the match, leading to the abrupt cancellation of what was initially a promising fixture.
The friendly was intended to feature Ittihad Tanger, a local Moroccan team, as the opposition, and the plan had been solidified during a board meeting the previous week. However, with the new developments in Ceuta, where over 70,000 Moroccan nationals reportedly crossed into the Spanish autonomous city unlawfully, the atmosphere has shifted dramatically, compelling Barcelona to rethink their commitments.
Despite the financial implications of this cancellation, which amounts to an estimated loss of €4.5 million in appearance fees, the Catalan club has made it clear that the safety of their team is paramount. The coaching staff, led by Hansi Flick, is now exploring alternative options for friendly matches to ensure adequate preparation for the upcoming La Liga season. The team has already participated in two friendly matches, including one against CE Europa and another against Birmingham City during their training camp in England.
Additionally, a behind-closed-doors match against Preston North End was planned for this Monday but was scrapped due to a lack of available first-team players from the English side. Looking ahead, FC Barcelona is set to face Nottingham Forest and Udinese on August 8, followed by the prestigious Joan Gamper Trophy match against Al-Ahly on August 19. Previously, there were discussions about a friendly in Nairobi, Kenya, but those plans were also dismissed before the Morocco match was considered. The club’s next steps remain uncertain as they navigate this situation.
As reported by sports.yahoo.com.
