Coach Xavi was not allowed to board Barcelona’s flight to the United States on Saturday because of his history of visits to Iran.Sports daily El Mundo Deportivo reported Xavi went to Iran three times while he was playing for Qatari club Al Sadd, and so needed to apply for special permission to visit the United States. Xavi played the last game of his career in Tehran.Xavi will not travel with the team to the US. When Xavi was a player at Al-Sadd, he visited Iran more than 3 times, consequently needing special permission to enter the United States. The manager will join them a few days later. — @mundodeportivo pic.twitter.com/OB9tbgLmr6— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) July 16, 2022 Barca only realised they had a problem on Friday. They thought they had found a solution, but when they arrived at the airport, Xavi was not allowed on the plane and the team had to travel without him. Reports said Xavi should be able to fly on Monday and arrive in Miami in time to lead the final training session before the friendly against Inter Miami on Tuesday evening.Barcelona’s recent signings Raphinha, Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie all travelled with the squad.On Saturday, Robert Lewandowski told German television that he would be joining the Barcelona squad on the tour. The media reported he would undergo his medical in Miami.Barcelona will also face Juventus in Dallas on July 27.##NAJAVA_MECA_6508160##Raphinha: Make Barca great again!© Agence France-Presse
