Barcelona cancel friendly in Japan, citing contract breach

FC Barcelona's pre-season plans are in ruins after the club was forced to cancel its visit to Japan at short notice due to a contractual problem with the tour organizers.

The Barca squad was due to fly to Japan on Thursday morning ahead of a game against Vissel Kobe on Sunday, before travelling to South Korea to face Seoul FC and Daegu FC. However, the Japanese leg of the tour has now been cancelled and the South Korean part is in the balance.

Lamine Yamal (L) of FC Barcelona vies with Manu Sanchez of Deportivo Alaves during the LaLiga football match between FC Barcelona and Deportivo Alaves, in Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium, Barcelona, Spain, on Feb. 2, 2025. (Photo by Joan Gosa/Xinhua)

"FC Barcelona announces that it has been forced to suspend its participation in the match scheduled for next Sunday in Japan due to a serious breach of contract by the promoter. However, the Club will consider readjusting the South Korean portion of the summer tour...provided certain conditions are met by the promoter," explained the club in a statement.

The cancellation of at least part of the tour is a blow to Barcelona's economy, with the cash-strapped club due to receive an important injection of around 15 million euros for playing the games, but it is also a sporting blow as Hansi Flick's side will have to look for new rivals at short notice as Flick looks to prepare for the new La Liga season.

Barca's only other pre-season game that is currently scheduled is against Como on August 10, before the new La Liga campaign starts in Mallorca on August 16.