FC Barcelona's preseason Asian tour, unexpectedly, hangs by a thread. This Wednesday, the club confirmed the cancellation of the friendly against Vissel Kobe due to breaches in the contract with the event promoter.
"FC Barcelona regrets this incident and the impact on the large community of Blaugrana fans in Japan," the club wrote in a statement shared on its social media.
The board had expected to travel to Japan this Thursday at 11:00 local time, but the flight was canceled. Initially, the friendly was scheduled for Sunday, July 27, at 19:00 (12:00 noon in Catalonia), and Barça had projected revenue of around 15 million euros for its Asian tour, which also includes two more friendlies in South Korea.
The match against Vissel Kobe, officially canceled
The visit to Kobe would have been the Blaugrana's first visit to Japan since June 2023. On June 6 of that year, at the Japan National Stadium, the team then managed by Xavi Hernández won 0-2 with goals from Franck Kessié and Eric García.
A crowd of approximately 30,000 was expected at Misaki Park next Sunday, but ultimately there will be no trip to the 'land of the rising sun'. At least not this year, due to a lack of payment guarantees.
What will happen with the friendlies in South Korea?
For now, the matches against FC Seoul (July 31) and Daegu FC (August 4) are not thought to be at risk, but the trip to South Korean territory would be postponed until Monday or Tuesday, provided that the previously agreed-upon financial terms are met.
As things stand, Barça, for now, only has the match against Italy's Como confirmed, on August 10 for the Joan Gamper Trophy. The match will be played at the Johan Cruyff Stadium, after the necessary permits to reopen the Spotify Camp Nou could not be processed in time.
If the entire Asian tour is suspended, the club would be forced to try to schedule other friendly matches before the Gamper Trophy and the start of the 25/26 season. Hansi Flick's side has been working for a week and a half at the Ciutat Esportiva and will make their La Liga debut on August 16 against Mallorca at Son Moix.
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