La Liga side Barcelona have cancelled a pre-season friendly in Morocco amid the ongoing border crisis in Ceuta.
The Spanish champions were scheduled to face local side Ittihad Riadi Tangier in north-western Morocco on 15 August as part of their preparations for the new season.
“In light of the current uncertainty and circumstances, FC Barcelona considers playing the match would be inappropriate,” the club said in a statement.
Although Barcelona did not specify the reason for the cancellation, BBC Sport understands that the decision is linked to the situation in Ceuta, the Spanish enclave on Morocco’s northern coast.
About 78,000 migrants reportedly crossed into the Spanish territory from Morocco by sea last week, with 100 deaths reported amid the crisis, fuelling tensions among European Union countries that share open borders.
While the vast majority of the migrants have since returned to Morocco, between 3,000 and 5,000 are still believed to remain in Ceuta.
Italy had suspended its Schengen arrangement with Spain, with Finland and Denmark backing the move, while the Czech Republic called for Spain’s membership to be temporarily suspended.
Barcelona have also had a friendly against Preston North End cancelled following their pre-season training camp in the UK, where they played Birmingham City.
Hansi Flick’s side are scheduled to face Nottingham Forest on Saturday in the Italian city of Udine and will host Egypt’s Al Ahly on 19 August.
Barcelona will begin their La Liga title defence against Elche on 23 August.
