Swine flu could lead to tour in Asia instead of US

Catalan radio station Catalunya Ràdio claims that the outbreak of the swine flu in North America could have an influence of Barcelona's pre-season plans.

Barcelona has two offers on the table to play friendly games: the United Sates or Asia. Until now Barcelona seemed to prefer the American option because of financial reasons. The club would receive two million euro for each game played in the US, which was superior to the amounts offered by Asian organizers.

Barcelona first vice-president Alfons Godall had said after a board meeting last week that the club is planning a tour and that the United States was at that moment the most likely option: "No deal has been signed yet. We're analyzing several options but the most probable thing is that the tour will be in the United States."

Barcelona would have planned to play three friendly games in New York, Seattle and California, but the tour could now be cancelled because of the spreading of the swine flu. The Barcelona executives who are negotiating the tour in the US would have been ordered to stop the talks if the situation gets worse. This would leave Barcelona with Asia as only one option for the tour.

Catalan sports apper Sport claims that Barcelona had already signed a pre-agreement to play a friendly game against Japanese club Urawa Red Diamonds, the former club of Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain, between 5 and 10 August and most probably in Tokio. A new offer from the United States seemed to have left this agreement without effect but this could now again change.

Barcelona has also offers to play pre-season matches in China and South Korea. The club would at least try to close deals on two games in Asia (read more here). For each game, Barcelona would receive a fee of at least 2 million euro. This amount could get higher if Barcelona would win the Champions League later this month.

Read more:
Barcelona reconsidering pre-season tour
Chinese youngsters visit Barcelona
Barcelona plans new US tour in 2009