La Liga giants Barcelona are considering suing Roma after the Italian club pulled out of a planned pre-season fixture at the Nou Camp.
Barcelona were due to face Roma for the Joan Gamper Trophy on August 6, with kick-off scheduled for 21:00 local time.
However, the Catalan club have now confirmed that Jose Mourinho’s Roma have withdrawn from the fixture.
Barcelona say they are now considering possible legal action against the Italian side for potential damages caused by the withdrawal.
“Barcelona announce that Roma have decided to unilaterally, without reason, withdraw from the agreed contract for both parties for the Joan Gamper Trophy game that was to be played on 6 August at Camp Nou in a fixture that was to see a men’s and women’s game once again,” read a club statement, as reported by The Athletic.
“The club is working on a finding a new opponent for this year’s edition.
“In the next 24 hours the return of money already spent on tickets will begin and the club wants to make it clear that the suspension of the games has been due to circumstances outside the control of Barcelona, the express wish of Roma.
“The club’s legal department is studying possible action against the Italian club for damages caused to Barcelona and its fans due to this unexpected and unjustified decision.”
The Joan Gamper Trophy is named after a founding member, player and president of Barcelona.
The trophy was originally awarded to the winner of a four-team pre-season tournament, first hosted by Barcelona in 1966.
This changed to a one-off match contested between two teams in 1997.
Last season saw Barcelona beat Juventus 3-0 to claim the men’s trophy.