Barcelona are considering taking legal action against Roma after they withdrew from this summer’s Joan Gamper Trophy.
The two clubs had agreed for both men’s and women’s teams face off for the annual pre-season event, but Roma have pulled out of the agreement due to conflicting schedules.
Roma announced their decision on Monday night in a statement which read: “The club can confirm that it has withdrawn from its proposed participation in the Gamper Trophy, which was scheduled to take place in Barcelona on 6 August 2022.
“The decision comes as a consequence of the need to modify the plan for summer friendly matches, both for the men’s and women’s first teams, in light of the principal objective of ensuring the best possible preparations and working conditions for each side ahead of the 2022-23 season.
“The two Giallorossi first-team squads will now finalise preparations for their respective upcoming campaigns closer to home with less travel required – with any additional contests not already announced set to be formally confirmed in due course.
“The club would like to thank FC Barcelona for the invitation to participate in the Gamper this summer and wishes both its first-teams well with their upcoming pre-season preparations.”
However, Barcelona’s statement the following morning revealed that they have been incensed by Roma’s decision and are now considering legal action.
“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,” Barcelona’s statement read.
“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.”
