Barcelona has officially decided not to proceed with the previously scheduled friendly in Tangier, Morocco, planned for August 15. The organizers’ latest information suggests that recent events connected to Ceuta have created circumstances that are no longer suitable for the match.
Background and plan
The Catalan club had been preparing to play a pre-season contest in Morocco, with the fixture confirmed during last week’s board meeting. Ittihad Tanger, a local team, was selected as the opponent, and Barcelona had indicated that their full first-team squad would travel for the match, including players who were expected to be involved in the preparations.
Safety first
The decision to cancel comes at a financial cost, as Barcelona stood to receive an appearance fee in the vicinity of €4.5 million. Despite the potential revenue, the club has chosen to prioritise the safety and well-being of players and coaching staff given the current security and logistical concerns related to the regional situation.
Context
The cancellation follows the recent events in Ceuta, where a large number of Moroccan citizens entered the Spanish enclave, creating an environment that the club deemed unsuitable for a high-profile friendly. With safety as the primary consideration, Barcelona reevaluated the plan and ultimately dropped the Morocco trip.
Next steps and alternatives
With the Morocco match off the table, Barcelona will coordinate with head coach Hansi Flick to explore alternative arrangements before the season opener. The coaching staff are keen to schedule another match as part of pre-season preparations.
Current pre-season activities
Barcelona has already played two friendly matches: a home game against CE Europa and a training camp match against Birmingham City in England. A behind-closed-doors friendly against Preston North End was planned but canceled due to Preston North End not having enough available first-team players.
Upcoming fixtures
The club is scheduled to face Nottingham Forest and Udinese on August 8, followed by the Joan Gamper Trophy against Al-Ahly on August 19. There were prior plans for a Nairobi, Kenya, venue, which did not materialize, and the Morocco trip has now been abandoned. The club will determine the best path forward for additional pre-season activity in the coming days.
Summary
Barcelona’s priority remains the safety of the squad while continuing to prepare for the new season. The team will pursue alternative pre-season friendlies if possible and adjust plans as needed ahead of La Liga duties.
