The home game of FC Barcelona against CA Osasuna scheduled for Saturday evening has been canceled due to a death at the Catalans.
As it was announced about half an hour before the scheduled kick-off of the game between FC Barcelona and CA Osasuna on Saturday evening (9 p.m.), the Blaugrana team doctor – Carles Minarro Garcia (40) – passed away at the hotel this afternoon. This was confirmed by the club in a statement, which also expressed its condolences to the doctor’s family.
Minarro Garcia had been working for FC Barcelona since 2017. He is survived by his wife and two children.
Nationaltorwart Marc-André ter Stegen, who is currently out with an injury, was shocked by the doctor’s death. “I have no words. I send all my strength and support to your family and friends. Rest in peace. We will miss you very much and always carry you in our hearts, Carles,” wrote ter Stegen on the X platform.
The opponent also sent condolences to X and expressed ‘his deepest condolences’. FCB club president Luis Sabalza reacted with understanding and explained that his team had no objections to the cancellation: “We understand that life is the most important thing and you can’t play a game when you think about the person you’ve been with for so long is no longer there.” Barcelona’s arch-rival Real Madrid wrote about the deceased: “May he rest in peace.”
Earlier that evening, the media had reported that Barcelona president Joan Laporta had gone to the team’s dressing room to break the news to the players and coaching staff. Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera had already warmed up on the pitch at the time of the official cancellation. He was asked to leave the pitch.
No new date yet
The game of the league leaders has been postponed due to the death to a new, not yet known date. This also depends on whether Barcelona reaches the final of the Copa del Rey at the end of April or not – the semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid recently ended 4-4. The second leg will take place on April 2. If Barcelona reach the final, a second alternative date in mid-May could be considered, for example Wednesday, May 21.
On Tuesday, FC Barcelona will definitely continue in the Champions League in the round of 16 against SL Benfica (6:45 p.m.) – the first leg ended 1-0 here a few days ago.
