FC Barcelona have cancelled their pre-season friendly against Ittihad Riadi Tangier, scheduled for 15 August in Morocco, citing the ongoing migrant crisis at the nearby Spanish enclave of Ceuta. The club said the "current context of uncertainty" had made conditions unsuitable for the match, which had been announced locally and was backed by a signed agreement.
The decision follows a mass influx of roughly 78,000 migrants who crossed into Ceuta from Morocco by sea last week, resulting in 100 deaths and leaving thousands still sheltering in the city. The crisis has strained European relations, with Italy suspending its Schengen arrangement with Spain, backed by Finland and Denmark.
Barcelona will instead continue their pre-season preparations in Italy, where Hansi Flick's side are set to face Nottingham Forest and Udinese in a tournament in Udine on Saturday. The La Liga champions open their title defence against Elche on 23 August.