The promoter has resolved to pay the agreed sum this morning, allowing Barcelona’s team to head to Japan on Friday morning.
In a surprising turn of events, Barcelona will finally embark on its journey, encouraged by Rakuten, who is the main sponsor of Vissel Kobe and a familiar partner of the Catalan club from their previous sponsorship arrangement. Rakuten’s involvement was crucial in resolving the financial disputes that had initially halted the trip, as they covered the remaining payment owed under the contract. Consequently, the friendly match scheduled for Sunday against Vissel Kobe at 12:00 PM Spanish time will go ahead as planned.
Earlier, the club had announced the trip’s cancellation due to a significant breach of contract when the promoter failed to pay the full agreed amount. Prior to Rakuten’s intervention, only a part of the payment had been received, leaving a gap that needed to be filled. With the resolution, Barcelona is set to receive a guaranteed €15 million from the Asian tour, a figure that could increase to around €20 million depending on various performance-related bonuses.
After their games in Japan, Barcelona is scheduled to play two more friendlies in South Korea against Seoul FC and Daegu FC on July 31 and August 4, respectively, which were not in jeopardy.
Additionally, the promotional company D-Drive distanced itself from the non-payment issue by releasing a statement. They explicitly accused the Yasuda group, principal sponsor of Real Sociedad, of being responsible for the payment failure, alleging that Yasuda sent invalid and falsified documents leading to confusion regarding financial obligations, which they termed as intentional fraud. Unless further complications arise, Barcelona is expected to board their flight on Friday morning.
This development highlights the importance of strong partnerships in sports as the involvement of Rakuten not only salvaged the trip but also reaffirmed the club’s financial outlook for its international endeavors. The anticipation surrounding these upcoming matches reflects the ongoing support for Barcelona and their resilience in facing challenges.