The Giallorossi withdrew from Barca’s Joan Gamper trophy without providing an explanation.
Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has reportedly played a role in the cancellation of Barcelona’s planned friendly match against Roma.
The UEFA Conference League winners were set to meet Barcelona in a friendly match at Camp Nou on August 6. However, Roma decided to cancel the game earlier this week without providing an explanation for their decision.
Barcelona responded by threatening to sue Roma for their sudden withdrawal, announcing they are searching to find a new opponent for the Joan Gamper game.
The situation has led to speculations over Roma’s decision. Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport has claimed PSG‘s president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has been behind the controversy.
Al-Khelaifi, who is the head of the European Clubs Association, has reportedly urged the clubs to not play friendly matches against clubs that have remained loyal to the Super League project.
The Catalans, alongside Real Madrid and Juventus, are the only clubs that have not announced their exit from the breakaway competition.
Al-Khelaifi also had a heated exchange with La Liga chief Javier Tebas, who has sued him for breaching UEFA’s financial fair play regulations.
Following Tebas’ comments over the contract extension of Kylian Mbappe, Al-Khelifi said: “Tebas? I don’t even know who that is.
“Let him take care of his championship, because the Spanish league is dying. You shouldn’t lecture people.”
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