Barcelona delay announcement of Morocco pre-season friendly amid Ceuta migration crisis | OneFootball

FC Barcelona have postponed the official announcement of their planned pre-season friendly in Morocco, despite the match already being contractually agreed, due to the ongoing migration crisis in Ceuta, reports Ferran Correas of SPORT.

During Wednesday’s board meeting, the club revealed that they were finalising plans to play a friendly in Tangier on 15 August against a local opponent.

The fixture would serve as Barcelona’s final preparation match before the Joan Gamper Trophy on 19 August and ahead of their La Liga opener against Elche on 23 August.

The game would also be the first opportunity for Hansi Flick to work with his entire squad, as the last group of players returning from the World Cup are expected to rejoin the team on 12 August.

Announcement delayed

According to sources within the club, the agreement for the match has already been signed and the official announcement had originally been scheduled for Thursday.

Barcelona will take on a local team in Tangier, Morocco. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

However, Barcelona decided to postpone the confirmation after considering the timing inappropriate in light of the humanitarian situation unfolding in Ceuta.

The decision follows widespread coverage of the migration crisis, during which thousands of people attempted to cross into the Spanish enclave from Morocco.

Reports indicate that around 40,000 migrants tried to enter Ceuta, while more than 20 people lost their lives attempting to reach the city by sea.

Match still expected to go ahead

Despite the delayed announcement, Barcelona have no plans to cancel the fixture.

Barcelona are currently training in England. (Picture credit: X/@FCBarcelona)

The report indicates that the friendly is still expected to take place as scheduled, with the only change being the timing of the official confirmation.

Barcelona intend to wait until the situation surrounding the events in Ceuta has eased before formally announcing the match.

Before the match in Morocco, Barcelona will be playing four more friendly matches, starting with tonight’s game against Birmingham City in England.

Come Monday, the Blaugrana will face off against Preston North End, before locking horns with Udinese and Nottingham Forest in a triangular tournament on 8 August.

The match in Morocco will be scheduled for 15 August.