PSG chief Nasser Al-Khelaifi behind Roma’s cancelled Barcelona friendly

Barcelona were scheduled to take on Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma this August in the traditional curtain-raiser, the Joan Gamper trophy on the 6th of August.

However, that was canceled without explanation last week. Roma has issued a statement announcing his withdrawal from the friendly match in order to better prepare for next season.

It seemed as if it was a curiosity in the Italian team and reports emerged that Barcelona were considering suing Giallorossi for withdrawal.

According to the Corriere Dello Sport for Marca, there was a different reason behind the Roma decision. Nasser Al-Khelaifi, chief executive of Paris Saint-Germain and chief executive of the European Clubs Association, has urged other clubs not to commit to friendly matches with clubs participating in the Superleague. That could be Barcelona, ​​Real Madrid, and Juventus.

It would be a subtle way of further undermining the trio of clubs and also hitting their bank balance. Many of the friendlies between Europe’s largest clubs, especially those in the United States, can be worth millions.