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Barcelona have cancelled their planned pre-season friendly against Moroccan side Ittihad Riadi Tangier, with the ongoing border crisis in Ceuta understood to have influenced the decision.
The Spanish champions were scheduled to face Ittihad Riadi Tangier in northern Morocco on August 15 as part of their preparations for the new season.
In a statement reported by the BBC, Barcelona said the match would not go ahead because of the prevailing circumstances.
“In light of the current uncertainty and circumstances, FC Barcelona considers playing the match would be inappropriate,” the club said.
Read more: Spain tighten controls on Moroccan border as 57 die in Ceuta migrant surge
Although Barcelona did not specify the circumstances behind the cancellation, reports indicate that the decision is linked to tensions surrounding Ceuta, the Spanish enclave bordering Morocco on the North African coast.
The border situation has reportedly heightened tensions among European countries, with thousands of migrants remaining in Ceuta following a large influx from Morocco.
A large number of the migrants have since returned to Morocco, although thousands are still reported to be in the Spanish territory.
The cancellation is another setback to Barcelona’s pre-season preparations after an earlier friendly against Preston North End was also called off following the club’s training camp in the United Kingdom.
Barcelona have already played Birmingham City during their pre-season preparations and are scheduled to face Nottingham Forest on Saturday in the Italian city of Udine.
Hansi Flick’s side will then host Egyptian club Al Ahly on August 19 before beginning their La Liga title defence against Elche on August 23.
The cancellation comes as Barcelona seek to fine-tune their squad ahead of the new campaign, with the club having originally planned the Morocco fixture as part of its preparations.
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