Barcelona under fire after relegating women's team to economy class in first mixed pre-season tour

Sport360 staff 17:55 27/07/2018
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  • Barcelona's men's and women's teams in Portland. [Photo credit: Alexia Putellas/Twitter]

    Barcelona are under fire after it emerged that their women’s team had been relegated to flying economy class while the men’s team flew business to the US during the club’s first mixed pre-season tour.

    A combined team captains’ photo was taken in business class before the women returned to their economy class seats, sparking outcry.

    The decision to hold a tour for both teams together had been lauded.

    After the first leg of the tour ended, in Portland, the women’s team flew first class to Los Angeles, albeit separately as the men’s team had flown out the previous day.

    Barca player Alexia Putellas said she and her team-mates understood the decision regarding the initial flight, explaining that the women’s team tour was planned later than the men’s one.

    “The reason we travelled like that is because the decision for us to take part on the tour was made later,” Putellas told Mundo Deportivo.

    “We know that the first team organises with a lot of pre-planning and we didn’t know anything about pre-season. Everything was arranged and the club made its best effort to organise at the last minute.

    “Taking into account how long the flight was, we are fine. A few years ago there were very long trips, now we travel in better conditions.

    “Before making the long journeys by coach was tough, I wish we always travelled in these conditions. We are lucky.”

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