Barcelona’s La Liga match against Osasuna on Saturday night was postponed following the death of the Catalan club’s first-team doctor, Carles Minarro Garcia.
The game was scheduled to start at 20:00 GMT but was called off about 20 minutes before kick-off. Fans had already arrived at Barcelona’s Olympic Stadium as the team prepared to extend their one-point lead at the top of La Liga against their 11th-placed visitors when the postponement was announced on the big screen.
“FC Barcelona is deeply saddened to announce the passing of first-team doctor Carles Minarro Garcia this evening,” the club stated. “For this reason, the match between FC Barcelona and CA Osasuna has been postponed to a later date. The FC Barcelona board of directors and all staff extend their heartfelt condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.”
Barcelona president Joan Laporta paid tribute to Minarro Garcia on the club’s website.
“He was a man deeply loved by everyone who passed away this afternoon at the team hotel,” he said. “There is an overwhelming sense of sadness because he was cherished by all of us. He traveled to every match to care for the players, the coaching staff—everyone. He never said no to anyone. He was a great professional and an exceptional doctor.”
“It has left us devastated and in shock because it was so sudden. We have contacted his mother and wife to offer our condolences and support them. Carles leaves behind two children, Gerard and Anna.”
“The players were greatly affected, and out of respect for Carles Minarro and his family, we had to request the postponement of the match.”
An Osasuna statement added, “Osasuna wishes to convey its deepest condolences to the family of Dr. Carles Minarro Garcia and would like to send a warm embrace to all the staff of FC Barcelona, as well as its fans, during this difficult time. May he rest in peace.”
