Barcelona have cancelled a behind‑closed‑doors friendly against Preston North End after the Championship club reported they were unable to field a full senior side, Spanish media have reported. The decision came after Barcelona's pre‑season tour of the UK included a match at St Andrew's against Birmingham City.
Preston shortages force change of plan
According to Mundo Deportivo, Preston faced a raft of absences following their recent friendly defeat to Stockport County and planned to use a youth side — reportedly Under‑21 players — in the scheduled game with Barcelona. Faced with a contest that would not meet their expectations of a robust workout, Barcelona opted to cancel the fixture and hold a training session instead.
Barcelona were hoping for a “demanding” contest but Preston’s situation has forced them to switch up their plans.
The cancellations on pre‑season tours are not uncommon, but they are notable when they involve a club of Barcelona's stature and when the visitors are preparing for the new La Liga campaign under Hansi Flick. Reports suggest Barcelona might even cut short their UK stay and return to Spain earlier than planned.
What happened at St Andrew's
Barcelona were in the city as part of their warm‑up fixtures and had played Birmingham City at St Andrew's on Friday. That match finished 2‑2, with Birmingham taking the lead through August Priske before Hamza Abdelkarim levelled. Abdelkarim scored again and Jhon Solis equalised to force a penalty shootout, which Birmingham won thanks in part to James Beadle saving three spot kicks.
Barcelona fielded an experimental side at St Andrew's while some of their most prominent players remain on extended breaks, after international commitments. The club are said to be awaiting the return of senior squad members including Lamine Yamal, Eric García, Pau Cubarsí, Gavi, Pedri and Ferran Torres, several of whom were involved in the World Cup and have later rejoin dates.
Local and practical implications
For Birmingham City supporters, the visit provided a rare high‑profile friendly at St Andrew's and a useful test against top‑level opposition. For Preston fans, the aborted tie with Barcelona will be a disappointment but speaks to broader issues clubs can face in pre‑season when injuries and player availability collide with schedules.
- Fixture cancelled: Preston v Barcelona, behind closed doors, Monday.
- Reason given: Preston unable to field a full senior team following injuries.
- Immediate effect: Barcelona held a training session instead and may return to Spain earlier.
| Match | Result / Status |
|---|---|
| Barcelona v Birmingham City (St Andrew's) | 2‑2, Birmingham won on penalties |
| Barcelona v Preston North End (scheduled) | Cancelled — training session held instead |
Pre‑season tours are a balance between commercial, preparatory and sporting aims. While fans in Birmingham enjoyed the spectacle against Barcelona, the cancellation of the Preston fixture underlines how quickly plans can change in the early weeks of the season as clubs manage fitness and player workload.
Further updates will depend on official announcements from the clubs involved. For supporters seeking refunds or information about scheduled events, the relevant club communications channels remain the appropriate first point of contact.
