体坛英语新闻：Barca explain opposition to playing Supercup in China

MADRID, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Toni Freixa, the spokesman for the FC Barcelona Board of Directors, has explained why the club is against playing the Spanish Supercup in China.

The Spanish FA has an agreement to play five of the next seven editions of the pre-season event, in which the winner of the BBVA Primera Liga takes on the champions of the Copa del Rey, in China.

However, although the majority of the 20 teams in the Spanish Primera Liga are in favor of the idea, both Real Madrid and Barcelona oppose it.

Given that Madrid and Barca dominate the race for the league title season after season and that one of the two clubs has won the Copa del Rey in three of the last four years, their refusal is a major setback to the Spanish FA's plans.

Freixa explained that one reason for Barca's opposition was that although playing in China would guarantee four million euros for the club, it would mean losing money.

"Barca took seven million euros in gate money this year and everything indicates that it would mean us losing money," he confirmed, before adding that the financial issue was not the main problem for the club.

"At the end of the day we cannot imagine an official competition without our supporters being able to go and we also question whether or not it is a good idea from a sporting point of view to play an official match in China," he explained, perhaps aware of the fact that the Supercup finalists would face a long return trip to China with important changes in time zones just as they were putting the finishing touches to their pre-season preparation ahead of the start of the new BBVA Primera Liga season.

However, Freixa admitted that at the end of the day the decision was not in the hands of either Barca nor Real Madrid.

"We have made our posture clear, but evidently if the Federation decides to do something then we have no option other than to accept it," he said.

Meanwhile Barca president Sandro Rossell laughed off suggestions that Manchester City were interested in buying midfielder Sergio Busquets.

"A lot of people here and abroad don't want Barca to do well and look to destabilize us. Manchester City can make offers for Busquets, Xavi Hernandez, Leo Messi or Victor Valdes, but it will be no use to them. The players are happy here, they know they are the best in the world and they will carry on here," said Rossell.