Barca's match vs. Osasuna postponed after death of team doctor

Barcelona's match against Osasuna was postponed Saturday after the club announced the sudden death of first-team doctor Carles Minarro Garcia shortly before the scheduled kickoff time.

The La Liga fixture was slated to begin at 3 p.m. ET, with fans already inside the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium before the game was called off and supporters were informed of the situation.

Minarro Garcia, 53, joined Barcelona's staff in 2017. He began working with the first-team squad last summer after a spell with the club's futsal team.

"The FC Barcelona board of directors and all staff extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time," Barcelona said in a statement.

Saturday's contest will be rescheduled for a "later date," the club added.

Osasuna president Luis Sabalza said his team had no objection to the decision to postpone the game.

"We understand that life is the most important thing and you can't play a game thinking that the person with whom you've lived with for so long is not there any more," he told DAZN, as translated by Agence France-Presse.

Barcelona went into the weekend sitting atop of La Liga after 26 games, one point up on Atletico Madrid and three clear of Real Madrid.