Barcelona cancels friendly in Tangier amid regional uncertainty
Barcelona cancels Morocco friendly
Barcelona has officially decided against participating in a friendly match scheduled for August 15 in Tangier, Morocco. The decision comes amidst a complex situation following events in Ceuta, where a significant number of Moroccan citizens entered the autonomous city. The club stated, via its official website, that “In light of the uncertainty and the current circumstances, the club considers that playing the match would be inappropriate.” This cancellation is estimated to cost the Catalan club approximately 4.5 million euros, which was the fee they would have received for playing in Morocco. The club prioritised the safety of its players and technical staff in making this decision.
According to reports, the current circumstances were not deemed suitable for holding the friendly match, especially given the events witnessed in Ceuta over the preceding week. The situation involved a migration crisis in Ceuta, caused by the arrival of thousands of people crossing the border. This influx has reportedly strained local services and generated considerable social and political tension in the region, leading Barcelona to re-evaluate the feasibility of travelling for the match.
Pre-season preparations affected
The cancellation of the friendly in Tangier has implications for Barcelona’s pre-season preparations. This match was intended to be the first of the summer where the full squad would be available, with World Cup-winning international players expected to return to action around August 12. The club is now reviewing the situation with German coach Hansi Flick to explore options for arranging another friendly, aiming to ensure the team is adequately prepared before the start of their La Liga campaign.
This is not the first disruption to Barcelona’s pre-season schedule. An earlier friendly in England against Preston North End was cancelled due to the opposition not having enough players. If the Tangier game does not proceed, Flick’s pre-season schedule would appear rather limited. It would consist of just two full 90-minute friendlies, against Birmingham and Al-Ahly, in addition to a couple of 45-minute outings against Udinese and Nottingham Forest in the Udine triangular tournament on August 8.
Such a reduced schedule is considered less than ideal, particularly for a team integrating new signings and welcoming back numerous players after extended breaks following the World Cup. Despite these challenges, the Joan Gamper Trophy match against Al-Ahly on August 19 is still planned as the traditional showcase event before Barcelona commences their La Liga season against Elche on August 23.
Regional tensions and political context
The decision to cancel the friendly is closely tied to the broader regional context. The migrant rush from Morocco to Spain’s territory of Ceuta saw approximately 72,000 migrants arrive from July 30, according to official Spanish figures. Reports also indicated that dozens of individuals drowned while attempting to swim around a barrier in the Mediterranean Sea. These events reportedly caused shock in Spain and led to a rift with some other European Union countries that advocate for stricter immigration policies.
Madrid has reportedly refrained from criticising Rabat regarding the mass arrivals. Some commentators have suggested that this situation might be interpreted as a means for Morocco to exert pressure on Spain. Morocco does not recognise Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta or Melilla, another North African exclave, and has claimed both territories since gaining independence in 1956. Some observers have also suggested that the crisis could be a warning from Morocco to Spain, particularly after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez reportedly sought to improve ties with Algeria, which is considered a historic rival of Rabat.
Certain Spanish political parties, including the hard-right formation Vox and Sumar, a far-left member of the governing coalition, have called for Morocco to be stripped of its right to co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal. However, this demand is considered symbolic and unlikely to succeed, as FIFA, the world governing body, is responsible for deciding the hosts of the tournament. Barcelona is scheduled to play Nottingham Forest, Udinese, and Al Ahly before their La Liga title defence begins against Elche on August 23.
Source: goal.com
