Barcelona have cancelled their pre-season friendly against Ittihad Riadi Tangier in Morocco because of the continuing border crisis in Ceuta.
The Spanish champions had been due to play the north-western Moroccan club on 15 August as part of their preparations for the new campaign. However, Barcelona said that the match would no longer go ahead because of the uncertainty surrounding the current situation.
“In light of the current uncertainty and circumstances, FC Barcelona considers playing the match would be inappropriate,” the club said in a statement.
Barcelona did not identify the border crisis as the specific reason for the cancellation. However, BBC Sport understands that the decision is connected to developments in Ceuta, the Spanish enclave on the North African coast that shares a border with Morocco.
About 78,000 migrants crossed into Spanish territory from Morocco by sea last week, according to the report. The crossings resulted in 100 deaths and increased tensions between European Union nations that share open borders.
Although most of those who arrived have since returned to Morocco, between 3,000 and 5,000 migrants are still in Ceuta.
The crisis has also created political pressure across Europe. Italy suspended its Schengen arrangement with Spain, with Finland and Denmark supporting that move, while the Czech Republic called for Spain’s membership to be suspended temporarily.
The cancellation is the second change to Barcelona’s pre-season schedule. A proposed friendly against Preston North End was also called off following the club’s training camp in the United Kingdom, where they played Birmingham City.
Barcelona are still scheduled to face Nottingham Forest on Saturday in the Italian city of Udine. They will then host Egypt’s Al Ahly on 19 August.
Hansi Flick’s side will start their defence of the La Liga title against Elche on 23 August.
The match with Ittihad Riadi Tangier had been intended to form part of Barcelona’s preparations for the new season, but the club has now withdrawn from the fixture because of the prevailing uncertainty around the Ceuta border.
The situation has placed Spain and Morocco at the centre of a wider dispute involving migration, border controls and European cooperation. Ceuta is Spanish territory but is located on the North African coast, next to Morocco, making it a key point in the current crisis.
Barcelona’s statement did not provide further details about the circumstances behind the decision. The club’s pre-season plans will therefore continue with the fixture against Nottingham Forest in Udine, followed by the meeting with Al Ahly at home before the campaign begins.
Their La Liga title defence gets under way against Elche on 23 August, with Flick preparing the reigning Spanish champions for another season after the disruption to their planned schedule.
