Barcelona cancel Vissel Kobe friendly over 'serious contract breach'

Barcelona are a whirlwind of absurdity. On the day that Marcus Rashford was meant to be the main attraction, the Catalan club confirmed in a statement that they are cancelling their friendly against Vissel Kobe, will not be travelling to Japan, and are considering their tour of South Korea.

The 'Azulgranas' will not be passing through Japanese territory due to a "serious contractual breach by the promoter", according to the statement. At the same time, the club is making the decision to play FC Seoul on 31 July and Daegu FC on 4 August dependent on whether the agreed conditions are met:

"FC Barcelona announces that it has been obliged to suspend its participation in the game scheduled for next Sunday in Japan due to serious contractual breaches on behalf of the promotor. Nevertheless, the Club will consider readjusting the leg of the summer tour in South Korea, where two games are scheduled against FC Seoul (31 July) and Daegu FC (4 August), if certain conditions are met by the promotor."

"If these conditions are met, then the Club will travel to South Korea in the coming days. FC Barcelona regrets this incident and the impact it will have on the many, many Barça fans in Japan," concluded the official statement from Barca.