Barcelona has announced the cancellation of their pre-season friendly against Vissel Kobe in Tokyo, citing serious contractual breaches by the promoter. This match was set to be the opening part of their Asian tour, which also includes fixtures in South Korea.

Barcelona stated, "The club 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 promoter." The club also mentioned that the South Korean leg of the tour is at risk of suspension unless certain conditions are met by the promoter.

The club expressed regret over the incident and its impact on the many Barcelona fans in Japan. Vissel Kobe, the J1 League champions, also issued a statement apologizing for the inconvenience caused to fans and related parties, and assured that they are working with relevant parties to gather information and take appropriate measures.

Barcelona, who won their 28th La Liga title last season, are scheduled to play South Korean sides FC Seoul and Daegu on July 31 and August 4, respectively. D-Drive, the promoter for the South Korean games, has stated that they are doing their utmost to ensure the matches are unforgettable.

This incident highlights the complexities of organizing international pre-season tours and the importance of clear contractual agreements. Fans of both teams will be disappointed, but the focus now shifts to whether the South Korean leg of the tour can proceed as planned.