Courtesy: Barcelona
On Saturday, March 8, a home match of Barcelona against Osasuna in La Liga at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys was postponed due to the death of the club’s first-team doctor Carles Minarro Garcia earlier in the day. The La Liga clash was scheduled to begin at 20:00 GMT, but the officials took the decision to call off the game on the night just 20 minutes before kick-off.
Notably, the decision was made by the officials after the fans had made their arrival to the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, to see Barcelona stars coached by Hansi Flick, to take on a tough opponent in Osasuna. The hosts were looking to extend their lead by a point at the top of La Liga with a win over Osasuna, who are in 11th place currently, but prior to that, the big screen at the stadium announced the news of the match getting postponed due to unfortunate circumstances.
He was a man very much loved by everyone: Joan Laporta on Carles Minarro Garcia
Barcelona released the official statement about the sudden death of their first-team doctor Carles Minarro Garcia, which read, “FC Barcelona is deeply saddened to announce the passing of first-team doctor Carles Minarro Garcia this evening. For this reason, the match between FC Barcelona and CA Osasuna has been postponed to a later date. The FC Barcelona board of directors and all staff extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.”
Joan Laporrta, the President of Barcelona, paid tribute to Carles Minarro Garcia in his official statement, which read, “He was a man very much loved by everyone, who passed away this afternoon at the team hotel. There was an overwhelming sense of sadness because he was loved by all of us. He travelled to every match to take care of the players, the coaching staff, everyone. He never said no to anyone. He was a great professional and a great doctor.”
“It has left us devastated and in a sense of shock because it was so sudden. We got in touch with his mother and his wife to offer our condolences and to support them. Carles leaves behind two children Gerard and Anna. The players were greatly affected and out of respect for Carles Minarro and his family we had to request the postponement of the match,” he further remarked.
Osasuna also released a statement on the death of Barcelona’s first-team doctor, stating that they wish to convey their “deepest condolences to the family of Dr Carles Minarro Garcia and would like to send a warm hug to all the staff of FC Barcelona, as well as to its fans, at this difficult time. May he rest in peace.”
