Barcelona have cancelled a pre-season friendly in Morocco due to the migration crisis unfolding in Ceuta.
In recent days, tens of thousands of people have travelled across the Moroccan border into Ceuta, a Spanish enclave on the North African coast, according to reporting by The New York Times.
On Thursday, Cueta’s leader, Juan Jesus Vivas, told the European Parliament that between 3,000 and 5,000 migrants remained in the territory, and expressed his “profound sorrow” over the “irreparable tragedy” of 100 deaths that had occurred as the thousands of people crossed by sea, in quotes carried by the BBC.
Barcelona, the La Liga champions, were set to face IR Tangier, a club based in northwestern Morocco, on August 15 as they continue their preparations for the new season.
But Barcelona issued a statement on Thursday that “ruled out the possibility of the men’s first team” playing that friendly match.
The statement continued: “Given the current climate of uncertainty, FC Barcelona considers that, at this time, the circumstances are not suitable for this match to take place.”
This cancellation is the latest disruption to Barcelona’s pre-season preparations. The Spanish side were due to face England’s second tier side Preston North End behind closed doors on August 3 during their training camp in the country, but it was called off by the Championship club.
As reported by The Athletic, Barcelona sources said this was because the English side did not have enough first-team players available, with Preston informing Barcelona that they did not want to take any risks.
Instead, Barca held a match between two teams from their own squad. It ended 1–1, with goals from Fermin Lopez and Xavi Espart. Barcelona begin the defence of their title with a trip to Elche on August 23.
