Barcelona will play at luchtime this season, says Mediapro president Roures

Barcelona will play at lunchtime this season, says Mediapro president Roures

Aug 18, 2012 3:45:00 PM

Tito Vilanova's team will have to settle for some midday fixtures, as the company aims to maximise their profits from the markets in Asia and the Middle East

Mediapro president Jaume Roures has confirmed that unlike last season, Barcelona will play games at lunchtime in the upcoming campaign.

The television company, who are in charge of scheduling the hours for football in Spain together with the LFP, have added Tito Vilanova's team to the midday schedule in order to accommodate the Asian and Middle-Eastern markets.

"Barcelona will play at 12 o'clock," he said in an interview with RAC1. "This agreement is good for all the fans because now they will have no doubt what time they can watch the games.

"The club [Barcelona] will play at 12 like all the other teams. Last season that was not possible because of the European calendar.

Another issue that has been generating controversy has been the unequal allocation of television funds between the club. But Roures has dismissed claims that this agreement is disturbing the balance in the Spanish league.

"If Barca and Real Madrid win the league, it is not due to the television rights, because they are only 25% of their budget."

The Blaugrana open their campaign with a trip to Real Sociedad on Sunday.

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