Barça-Osasuna match suspended due to the death of a member of the Barça medical services

BarcelonaThe match between Barça and Osasuna, scheduled for this Saturday night at Montjuïc, has been suspended due to force majeure. According to a statement from the club, the death of a member of the Barça medical team, Dr. Carles Miñarro, was the second in command to Dr. Ricard Pruna, head of the medical services for the first team. President Joan Laporta went down to the dressing room to inform the players and the decision was made approximately 45 minutes before the match began. Both the coach, Hansi Flick, and the captains requested the suspension of the match. Osasuna and the refereeing committee, headed by the Balearic referee Mateu Busquets Ferrer, were informed.

Approximately half an hour later, the announcement was made over the stadium's public address system that the match had been suspended. Shortly before, the players and the coaching staff left the stadium, before 9pm, the time scheduled for the start of the match. Afterwards, the security forces and stadium workers organised the departure of the fans, in a tidy and slow manner, despite the uncertainty that ran through the supporters present at the Olímpic Lluís Companys, especially among the tourists. Upon hearing the tragic news, many of the fans applauded in a sign of support and condolences.

"FC Barcelona regrets to announce the sad news of the passing away of first team doctor Carles Miñarro Garcia this afternoon. For this reason, the match between FC Barcelona and CA Osasuna has been postponed until a new date. The Board of Directors and all of the employees of FC Barcelona wish to convey our most sincere condolences to the family and friends," said a statement.

According to club sources, the death occurred suddenly at the hotel where the first team players were staying. Laporta was in charge of explaining the news to the coaching staff and the players and they asked that the match against Osasuna be suspended. The club made the relevant arrangements and, finally, the league match was postponed, which remains undated pending the teams and the authorities reaching an agreement. One possible date is May 19, but it will depend on Barça's progress in the Champions League and the Cup. It is only a hypothesis and will not be announced, under any circumstances, this Saturday.

The Blaugrana club has thanked Osasuna for their understanding and willingness at all times. "We offer our condolences to Barça. We have heard them, too. At no time have we objected to the suspension. Life is the most important thing and a player cannot be playing in a match when someone who has been with him for so long has left," said Luis Sabalza Iriarte, president of Osasuna, in statements to the press. "We had to come to an agreement, first the clubs, and then it is the referee who decides whether the match is played or not. The referee thought it was correct. And between everyone, the League and the Federation, it has been suspended. We believed it should be like that. And whoever is a believer, let them say their prayers," added the leader of the Navarrese team.

Joan Laporta and the players express their condolences

Condolences were not long in coming. Several Barça first team players, such as Lamine Yamal, Alejandro Balde, Héctor Fort, Gavi, Ronald Araujo, Iñigo Martínez, Ferran Torres, Eric Garcia and Dani Olmo, among others, have publicly expressed their support for the family and those close to him with heartfelt posts on social media. Footballers from other clubs, such as Real Madrid player Kylian Mbappé, have also expressed their support.

Later, President Joan Laporta, in institutional statements shared by the club's communication channels, expressed the club's condolences. "Carles Miñarro, a man much loved by everyone, has passed away this afternoon, to the team's concentration. The players, thestaff, the coach... we were all very sad. There was a huge sadness. He was a person whom we all loved very much. He came to all the trips, to take care of the players, of thestaff, of everyone," said the Barça president.

"It's very sad what has happened. We have considered that we should ask for the postponement. I have immediately communicated this to the president of La Liga, Javier Tebas. He has understood it perfectly and has started all the procedures to make it effective. We have also had the utmost understanding from Osasuna. The referees have also understood it perfectly. "I also thank the fans for their understanding. We have made the right decision," concluded the Barça leader.