José Mourinho will not be facing Barcelona for the 28th time in his managerial career after Roma decided to withdraw from the Spanish club’s annual Joan Gamper Trophy, which was scheduled to take place on August 6th.
In an official press release, the Giallorossi revealed that the choice arose as a consequence of the need to modify their pre-season schedule.
“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, Barca are less than impressed with Roma’s actions. The Blaugrana are considering suing the Italian giants for damages due to their ‘unexpected and unjustified decision’ not to partake in the scheduled match.
“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. 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.”
Roma previously took part in the 2015 edition of the one-off cup match back in 2015 when they lost 3-0 on that occasion.