Barcelona forced to cancel pre-season friendly as statement given

Barcelona have postponed a pre-season friendly match in Morocco later this month.

The Spanish giants cited ‘uncertainty and circumstances’ for their decision to cancel the match.

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Hansi Flick’s side had been due to continue their preparations for the new season in Tangier on Saturday, August 15.

It is understood Moroccan top-flight outfit IR Tangier would have been their opponents.

The club play at the 75,000-capacity Tangier Grand Stadium which was renovated for last year’s Africa Cup of Nations.

However, they will no longer face Barcelona at the venue later this month.

Barcelona statement

In a statement, Barca said: “FC Barcelona informs that the men’s first team friendly match in Tangier potentially scheduled for 15 August has been ruled out.

“In light of the current uncertainty and circumstances, FC Barcelona considers playing the match would be inappropriate.”

It is not the first pre-season fixture which the LaLiga champions have had cancelled this summer.

During their recent trip to England, Barca were scheduled to face Preston North End in a behind-closed-doors contest on Monday.

The match was ultimately called off after the Championship side offered to field an Under-21 XI instead.

Preston were reported to have not wanted to risk any injuries to their first-team squad in the fixture.

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Barcelona also faced Birmingham City at St. Andrew’s during their training camp in England.

The match ended in a 2-2 draw before Blues won the subsequent penalty shootout 3-2.

Barca will continue their summer schedule at the Venezia Giulia Cup this weekend.

They will face both Nottingham Forest and Udinese on Saturday as part of the friendly tournament.

Both matches are set to last 45 minutes and are being played at Udinese’s Stadio Friuli.

Barca will then conclude their pre-season campaign at home to Egyptian side Al Ahly on August 19.

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That match comes just four days before they begin their LaLiga title defence.

Their opening fixture of the season sees them face Elche away from home.