Barcelona president Joan Laporta faced the media following the death of the club doctor, Carles Minarro, while also expressing gratitude to Osasuna and LaLiga for accepting the request to postpone the scheduled game for Saturday.
The Blaugrana supremo, whose facial expression showed immense grief, stated that the first team’s doctor “was a man very dear to everyone” while also explaining what transpired.
“He passed away this afternoon at the team’s training camp. As you can imagine, the players, the staff, the coach, everyone was very sad. He was a person who was very much loved, who came to all the training camps, who looked after everyone, who didn’t say no to anyone. He was a great professional, a great doctor“, he said.
“It is very sad what happened and in these moments of sadness and pain I think the best thing to do was to ask for the suspension of the match. We immediately contacted the president of LaLiga to explain what had happened. He understood perfectly and has initiated all the procedures to make the suspension effective.
“I have to say that Osasuna, with its president, directors and coach have understood the situation and have made themselves available to us. Osasuna has behaved in an extraordinary way and with the utmost understanding. The referees have also understood the situation perfectly and I would like to thank them all for their understanding of the suspension of the match.”
Also, to prevent third parties from finding out, an information was passed to the family of Carles Miñarro of what occurred.
“This is very painful news for FC Barcelona. We are saddened, in shock because it has been sudden. We have contacted his mother and his wife, we offer our condolences and we accompany them at this painful time. We wanted them to know immediately because this news is very important, and even more so if it meant the suspension of the match. Carlos leaves behind two children, Gerard and Ana. His wife was very affected, as is logical and normal.
“We must ask for the understanding of the Barcelona fans and fans of the world of football who had planned to come to watch the match. I noticed a great deal of understanding when we announced it over the loudspeakers, I heard the applause”.
Laporta also shed light the reason for the suspension of the league contest.
“Out of respect for Carles Miñarro, his family, the players, staff, coach, all my colleagues on the board, who also knew him, and the club’s employees, we have taken the right decision. Thank you very much.”
