Barcelona president pays tribute after sudden death of club doctor

Barcelona president Joan Laporta said there is an “overwhelming sense of sadness” at the club following the death of club doctor Carles Minarro Garcia in the build-up to Saturday’s scheduled La Liga clash with Osasuna.

The game was postponed shortly before the two teams were about to take to the field, with a new date for the fixture to be confirmed in due course by La Liga’s scheduling committee.

Messages of condolence were passed on by Barcelona’s rivals Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid on social media, as well as from a number of other clubs, and Laporta confirmed in a brief statement that Garcia’s passing had been sudden and had greatly affected the club’s players.

“He was a man very much loved by everyone, who passed away this afternoon at the team hotel,” Laporta said. “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.”

Midfielder Pedri, who has often faced spells on the sidelines with injury, posted on Instagram: “I still can’t believe it. A big hug for Carles’ family and friends.”

With Barcelona no longer in action, Atletico Madrid have the chance to move top of La Liga when they travel to Getafe in Sunday’s early game. Real Madrid can then move level on points with Barca if they succesfully overcome Rayo Vallecano at the Santiago Bernabeu.