Football BaBe
Barcelona’s Cancelled Friendly in Japan Sparks Fraud Accusations
Unraveling the Chaos: Fraud Allegations Rock Barcelona’s Preseason Plans
In a shocking turn of events that has sent ripples through the football world, Barcelona‘s anticipated preseason clash with Vissel Kobe in Japan was abruptly halted due to allegations of deceit and financial misconduct. This incident not only highlights the vulnerabilities in international sports promotions but also raises questions about trust in global sponsorship deals. As fans and stakeholders reel from the fallout, we delve into the details of what went wrong and what it means for the club’s future tours. Barcelona officials acted swiftly to protect their interests, underscoring the importance of transparency in such high-stakes arrangements.
- Promoter blames Yasuda Group for fraud
- Barcelona call off Kobe fixture
- Legal action planned over forged paperwork
Promoter Points Finger at Yasuda Group in Barcelona Fraud Scandal
The Catalan giants suddenly pulled out of their planned exhibition game against Vissel Kobe, pointing to a major violation of agreements by the event organizer. This move happened mere hours before the squad was set to depart. Adding to the intrigue, D-DRIVE’s chief executive, the firm handling the promotion, released a strongly worded announcement accusing the Yasuda Group-known as the primary backer of Real Sociedad-of submitting counterfeit paperwork and pretending that funds had been dispatched. He emphasized that Barcelona’s choice to step back was both prudent and accountable, and he announced intentions to pursue lawsuits against the implicated parties in Japan.
Inside the Promoter’s Explosive Claims
Through an extensive declaration shared with global press outlets, D-DRIVE’s CEO Seul Ham directed criticism straight at the Yasuda Group, explaining: “The now-scrapped encounter between Vissel Kobe and FC Barcelona stemmed from an initiative by the Yasuda Group, who sponsor Real Sociedad, and was meant to be jointly organized on Japanese soil.
“Our team at D-DRIVE anticipated receiving the complete payment for the event on this date, but the money never materialized. Time and again, the Yasuda Group supplied bogus and manipulated records, misleading us with assertions that the transfer had been completed to a Korean account. We’ve secured a voice memo from one of their staff members admitting that the company’s head deliberately withheld the funds, which undeniably points to deliberate deception.
“This deceitful behavior has inflicted considerable harm on Rakuten’s reputation. Given these circumstances, FC Barcelona wisely chose to abort the Japanese fixture. We intend to initiate court proceedings against the culpable organizations in Japan to seek compensation for losses.
“In contrast to the situation in Japan, our preparations in Korea are complete, with all expenses handled except for pending air travel costs as of now. To supporters in Korea: you have our word. D-DRIVE is dedicated to ensuring the tour’s success moving forward. We’ll pull out all stops to create memorable experiences on the pitch.”
Uncertainty Looms Over Barcelona’s Asian Tour Amid Fraud Fallout
This controversy has cast a shadow over Barcelona’s full itinerary in Asia, leaving the club to deliberate on whether to proceed with their stops in South Korea. The timing couldn’t be worse for incoming manager Hansi Flick, who’s focused on building a strong base ahead of the 2024-25 campaign-wait, make that the upcoming 2025-26 season, where recent reports indicate Barcelona’s financial woes have deepened, with debts exceeding €1.2 billion as per the latest UEFA financial fair play updates. This cancellation could deprive them of vital income streams essential for stabilizing their economic position.
Reviewing the South Korean Schedule
The portion of the tour in South Korea, featuring matches versus Seoul on July 31 and Daegu on August 4, is currently being evaluated. While the Spanish club hasn’t entirely dismissed the idea of going ahead, they’ll make their call after verifying the dependability of the local organizers, drawing parallels to recent incidents like the 2023 Messi no-show in Hong Kong that led to widespread fan backlash and refunds totaling millions.
