Barcelona Cancel Morocco Friendly Amid Ceuta Border Tensions

Spanish champions Barcelona have cancelled their scheduled pre-season friendly against Moroccan club Ittihad Riadi Tangier amid growing tensions linked to the ongoing situation around Ceuta.

The match was initially scheduled to take place in north-western Morocco on August 15 as part of Barcelona’s preparations for the upcoming football season.

According to Ireporter Online, Barcelona announced the cancellation, citing the prevailing uncertainty and circumstances surrounding the fixture.

The Catalan giants said they considered it inappropriate to proceed with the match under the current conditions, although the club did not provide extensive details about the circumstances behind the decision.

The cancellation comes amid heightened tensions surrounding Ceuta, a Spanish enclave on the North African coast that shares a border with Morocco.

The situation reportedly intensified after thousands of migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta by sea, with reports indicating that around 78,000 people made the crossing last week.

The migration crisis also resulted in significant loss of life, with approximately 100 people reportedly dying during attempts to reach the Spanish territory.

Although a large number of those who crossed have since returned to Morocco, several thousand people are still believed to remain in Ceuta.

The developments have also triggered political tensions involving European countries operating under the Schengen border framework, with some nations reportedly calling for temporary measures affecting Spain’s participation in the agreement.

Barcelona’s decision marks another disruption to their pre-season preparations after an earlier friendly against Preston North End was also cancelled following the club’s training camp in the United Kingdom.

Despite the latest cancellation, Barcelona still have other pre-season fixtures lined up. The Spanish champions are expected to face Nottingham Forest in Udine before hosting Egyptian champions Al Ahly on August 19.

The Catalan club will then begin their La Liga title defence on August 23 when they host Elche.