Barcelona's Asian tour on ropes after Japan game cancelled
The Spanish giants were due to play J-League side Vissel Kobe on Sunday before traveling to South Korea to face FC Seoul on July 31 and Daegu FC on August 4.
'Barcelona announces that it 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,' said a Barcelona statement late Wednesday.
'Barcelona regrets this incident and the impact it will have on the many, many Barca fans in Japan.'
Vissel Kobe, for whom Barcelona and Spain great Andres Iniesta played at the end of his career, said in a statement Thursday that they were 'currently investigating the situation'.
'We sincerely apologise for any concern this may cause to the many fans and stakeholders who were looking forward to this match,' Kobe added.
The tour promoters, Seoul-based company D-Drive, said that they were confident the matches in South Korea would be unaffected.
'All scheduled activities in South Korea will take place as planned, without any disruptions,' said a D-Drive statement, which blamed organisers in Japan for the Kobe cancellation.
'This is an issue that stems solely from the Japanese side and has no connection whatsoever with the Korea tour.' — AFP
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
14 hours ago
- Borneo Post
S'wak Premier Cup to attract 300 muaythai fighters in September
Jumaat (third right) seen with Azhad Haziq (third left) and coaches. KUCHING (Aug 3): The Sarawak State Muaythai Association (PMNS) is planning to organise the Sarawak Premier Cup Muaythai Championship in September. The tournament to be staged again at Naim Street Mall @ Paragon Bintulu is expected to draw over 300 athletes from all over the world. 'We are hoping to get the strong support from the federal and state governments as well as corporate sponsors to organise this championships,' PMNS president Jumaat Ibrahim told reporters during the PMNS thanksgiving and celebration dinner at a local restaurant on Friday. The dinner was held to celebrate the Sarawak team's achievement at the National Combat Sports Championships (Pre-Sukma) and Muaythai National Grand Prix at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur from July 24-27. Sarawak finished second overall after capturing nine gold, five silver and 10 bronze medals to finish behind Sabah and ahead of Melaka. The state squad was represented by clubs under the KSSC Sarawak banner which included Muaythai Kenyalang Club, Sting Kuching, Phoenix Meranek Samarahan, Bau MT Club, SS Fighter Petrajaya, Singa 30 Miri and Legacy Kuching. They were joined by four other clubs D30 Miri, PS Bintulu, Kilas Petra Jaya and Rentap Kuching who used their own resources. A standout performer was Sukma XXI silver medallist Azhad Haziq Syafaat who won the National Championship Belt in the 75kg–80kg category. Another star performer was Adrynna Thanichaa from Rentap Muaythai Club secured a gold medal and was also crowned Best Female Boxer of the tournament. Jumaat described the championship as an excellent exposure platform for the state's budding talents. He pledged that PMNS will continue to send promising athletes to more exposure tournaments. 'Our main goal remains to retain our muaythai championship title at Sukma Selangor next year. But we're aware it won't be easy as other states are also stepping up their game,' he added.
The Sun
15 hours ago
- The Sun
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone secures World Championships spot with 400m win
SYDNEY McLaughlin-Levrone confirmed her place at the upcoming World Championships with a commanding victory in the 400m at the US trials on Saturday. The two-time Olympic 400m hurdles champion and world record holder clocked 48.90 seconds at Hayward Field, showcasing her versatility in a new discipline. McLaughlin-Levrone, 25, decided to shift her focus to the flat 400m this season after an unbeaten six-year streak in the hurdles. She revealed the decision was made shortly before the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League meet in July. 'Going into Pre, we had an idea we wanted to focus on the 400,' she said. 'This is a challenge, it's not as comfortable for us, but I want to challenge myself.' The American sprinter emphasized her commitment to mastering the event. 'I felt like this is the year I wanted to step out of the box and really push myself in a different way,' she told AFP. 'It's uncomfortable, but I wanted to commit to it.' Despite her dominance in the 400m hurdles—where she became the first woman to break the 52-second and 51-second barriers—McLaughlin-Levrone ruled out a return to the event for the Tokyo Diamond League finals. 'No, we'll focus just on the 400,' she said. 'It's a daunting task in itself, and I respect the competitors. I want to give my all to these races.' Her transition to the flat 400m has been marked by patience and learning. 'This year has taught me patience,' she said. 'I've learned a lot about myself and the event. Every day is about stepping on the track, being the best I can be.' McLaughlin-Levrone's victory on Saturday was decisive. She led early and extended her advantage down the final straight, finishing ahead of Isabella Whittaker (49.59) and Aaliyah Butler (49.91). – AFP
Malay Mail
16 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Man of the match? Try machine: China's T1 takes the pitch for robot world cup
BEIJING, Aug 3 — On a football pitch in Beijing, 'T1' is practising shots and taking up positions. T1 is no ordinary player, however, but a gold medal-winning humanoid robot training for the first World Humanoid Robot Games, taking place in Beijing from August 15. T1 is part of a race to take the lead in humanoid robotics, as China looks to become more self-sufficient in advanced technologies. The Games will bring together teams from more than 20 countries for events ranging from track and field to dance and martial arts, as well as practical applications such as industrial handling and medical services. Chen Penghui, a member of Tsinghua University's Hephaestus team, works on a computer next to T1 humanoid robots developed by Booster Robotics, at a football pitch in preparation for competitions at the inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing August 1, 2025. — Reuters pic T1 and its two teammates, fielded by Tsinghua University's Hephaestus team, made history for China last month by winning gold in the 'Humanoid, adult size' category of the 28-year-old RoboCup Humanoid League in Brazil. 'The Chinese government is actively promoting humanoid robot development,' said Zhao Mingguo, Chief Scientist at Booster Robotics, maker of the T1. 'To advance technology, the government is actively organising competitive events, and this sports games is one such experience.' While some may dismiss such events as gimmicks, industry experts and participants see them as a decisive spur to advance humanoid robots toward practical real-world deployment. A T1 humanoid robot developed by Booster Robotics falls on a football pitch, during a practice in preparation for football competitions at the inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing August 1, 2025. — Reuters pic Although the Hephaestus team would hardly trouble even junior human opposition, Booster Robotics views football as a powerful test of perception, decision-making and control technologies that could later be applied in factories or homes. 'Playing football is a testing and training ground for ... helping us refine our capabilities,' Zhao said. And just as in real life, moving on from the training ground is often a challenge. T1 humanoid robots developed by Booster Robotics in action while surrounded by school children on a football pitch, during a practice in preparation for football competitions at the inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing August 1, 2025. — Reuters pic Hephaestus is building on software developed for Brazil to improve the players' positioning skills. But the performance of humanoid robots still depends to a great extent on environmental variables such as the surface and hardness of the ground and the gradient of any slopes, according to Hephaestus's Chen Penghui. It wouldn't be the first time a football team had visited a new venue and bemoaned the state of the pitch. — Reuters
