The Joan Gamper Trophy is considered the ‘curtain raiser’ for Barcelona’s season
Barcelona are considering taking legal action against AS Roma after the Serie A side pulled out of the Joan Gamper Trophy ‘without reason.’
The trophy is a regular fixture in the Catalan giants’ pre-season calendar and is traditionally known as the ‘curtain raiser’ at the Camp Nou before the start of the new domestic season.
Jose Mourinho’s side were invited to play in the game, which was set to take place on August 6, but have pulled out of the match just 12 days after they were announced as Barca’s opponents.
Roma confirmed that their decision was “a consequence of the need to modify the plan for summer friendly matches” and that they are planning to organise games which are “closer to home with less travel required.”
‘The club’s legal department is studying possible action against the Italian club for damages caused to FC Barcelona and its fans’
But Barcelona have been left angered by their change of plans and have released a statement on the club’s website threatening to escalate the problem further if needed.
AS Roma unilaterally rescinds contract to play in Gamper
🔗 https://t.co/lYsVEETF8Y pic.twitter.com/fkuTure4Nw
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) June 27, 2022
They said: “FC Barcelona announce that AS Roma have decided to unilaterally, without reason, withdraw from the agreed contract for both parties for the Joan Gamper Trophy game that was to be played on 6 August at Camp Nou in a fixture that was to see a men’s and women’s game once again.
“The club is working on a finding a new opponents for this year’s edition.
“In the next 24 hours the return of money already spent on tickets will begin and the club wants to make it clear that the suspension of the games has been due to circumstances outside the control of FC Barcelona, the express wish of AS Roma.
“The club’s legal department is studying possible action against the Italian club for damages caused to FC Barcelona and its fans due to this unexpected and unjustified decision.”
Barca will face UE Olot, Inter Miami, Real Madrid, Juventus, New York Red Bulls and Manchester City as part of their pre-season plans as well as try and find a new opponent for the Joan Gamper Trophy fixture.
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