Barcelona president Joan Laporta said there was a “feeling of overwhelming sadness” at the club after the death of the club Carles Minarro Garcia during the preparation of the Liga on Saturday with Osasuna.
The game was postponed shortly before the two teams are about to go to the field, with a new date for the match to be confirmed in due course by the Liga planning committee.
Condolence messages have been transmitted by the Rivals of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid on social networks, as well as in a number of other clubs, and Laporta confirmed in a brief statement that Garcia’s death had suddenly been and had greatly affected club players.
“He was a very loved man of everyone, who died this afternoon at the Team Hotel,” said Laporta. “There was a feeling of overwhelming sadness because he was loved by all of us. He went to every game to take care of the players, coaches staff, everyone. He never told anyone. He was a great professional and a great doctor.
“It let us devastate and in a shocking sense because it was so sudden. We contacted his mother and wife to offer our condolences and support them. Carles leaves two children Gerard and Anna behind him.
“The players were greatly affected and out of respect for Carles Minarro and his family, we had to request the postponement of the match.”
Midfielder Pedri, who has often faced spells on the touch with an injury, posted on Instagram: “I still can’t believe it. A big hug for the family and friends of Carles.”
With Barcelona, which is no longer in action, Atletico Madrid has the chance to move at the top of the Liga when they travel for Getafe at the start of the match on Sunday. Real Madrid can then move around on points with Barça if they successfully overcome Rayo Vallecano at Santiago Bernabeu.
