The La Liga fixture between FC Barcelona and CA Osasuna, scheduled for Saturday evening at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, was postponed following the sudden passing of Barcelona’s first-team doctor, Carles Miñarro García. The tragic news deeply affected the club, leading to a collective decision to reschedule the match.

Incident Details
Dr. Miñarro, aged 40, was found unresponsive in his hotel room at the Meliá de Pedralbes in Barcelona, where the team was staying before the match. He had been part of Barcelona’s medical team since 2017 and was recently promoted to work closely with the first team. Earlier in the day, he had actively participated in pre-match preparations, providing medical assessments for players ahead of the game.

The devastating news reached the club just before the squad was set to warm up. FC Barcelona’s president, Joan Laporta, personally informed the team, who were visibly shaken by the loss. The players and coaching staff requested the postponement of the match, a request that was immediately supported by Osasuna and approved by La Liga officials. Around 15,000 fans present at the stadium were informed of the decision and left the venue in silence.

Official Statements and Condolences
FC Barcelona released an official statement expressing profound sorrow over the passing of Dr. Miñarro García:

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Carles Miñarro García. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. He was an invaluable member of our team, and his contributions to the club will never be forgotten."
Osasuna also offered their condolences, with club president Luis Sabalza stating:

"This is a moment of solidarity. We stand with FC Barcelona in mourning this tragic loss. Football takes a backseat at times like this."
La Liga confirmed that a new date for the fixture will be determined soon by the competition committee.

Impact on Upcoming Fixtures
The postponement raises concerns about FC Barcelona’s upcoming schedule, particularly their Champions League Round of 16 second-leg match against Benfica, where they hold a 1-0 aggregate advantage. As of now, no official announcement has been made regarding potential adjustments to that fixture.

Dr. Carles Miñarro García’s untimely passing has sent shockwaves through the footballing world. Tributes have poured in from clubs, players, and fans, all acknowledging his dedication and impact at Barcelona. His absence will be deeply felt, both on a professional and personal level, within the club and beyond.