Barcelona cancel Japan friendly due to contract breaches as the club announced it has been forced to withdraw from their pre-season match against Vissel Kobe in Japan, while their upcoming friendlies in South Korea are also in doubt. The LaLiga champions cited serious contractual breaches by the promoter as the reason for the cancellation, disappointing many fans who were eager to watch the team in action.
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Match Against Vissel Kobe Cancelled
Barcelona were set to play Vissel Kobe on Sunday in Japan as part of their pre-season preparations but announced on Wednesday that the match would not go ahead. In their statement, Barcelona explained that the cancellation was due to significant breaches by the promoter involved in organizing the match. The club expressed regret over the decision and acknowledged the disappointment this would bring to their supporters in Japan.
South Korea Matches Under Review
Barcelona are also scheduled to play two matches in South Korea, facing FC Seoul on 31 July and Daegu FC on 4 August. However, the club indicated these matches could also be suspended if specific conditions are not met by the promoter in charge of the South Korea leg of their tour. Despite the setback in Japan, Barcelona stated they would consider readjusting their plans for South Korea if the issues with the promoter are resolved in time.
Apologies from Vissel Kobe
Following Barcelona’s announcement, Vissel Kobe issued a statement on Thursday, apologizing to their supporters and all related parties for the situation. They assured fans that they are working closely with all relevant parties to gather information and determine the next steps to address the issue appropriately.
Promoters Respond
While Barcelona did not name the promoter in their statement, it was previously announced that the YASUDA Group was responsible for the Japan leg of the tour, though YASUDA has yet to comment publicly on the matter. For the South Korea matches, the promoter D-DRIVE issued a statement reassuring fans that they are committed to ensuring the remainder of the tour is a success. D-DRIVE’s CEO Seul Ham emphasized that the organization will continue to work diligently to deliver memorable matches for Barcelona supporters in South Korea.
Fans Left Disappointed
The cancellation has left many Barcelona fans in Japan disappointed, with the uncertainty over the South Korea fixtures adding further concerns for supporters hoping to see their team live this summer. As the situation develops, Barcelona will be looking to resolve these contractual issues swiftly to maintain their summer tour plans while keeping their global fanbase informed.
