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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
David Irvine

Celtic vs Wolves pre-season friendly scrapped

Celtic won't face Wolves in pre-season after the Premier League pulled out of their trip to South Korea.

The club had been scheduled to play Roma and Celtic in Asia in pre-season but the matches have been scrapped.

Celtic were due to play Wolves in Suwon on July 26 but the fixture now won't go ahead.

Wolves have claimed "numerous financial and logistical obligations" have not been met by tour promoter Stadium X/USG.

And general manager for marketing and commercial growth at Wolves Russell Jones has suggested the reported issues are affecting all clubs involved - with tickets not on sale and "delays by the promoters".

Confirming the contract with the promoters had been terminated, Jones told the club website: “It’s not just Wolves who have been affected by this, it’s all three clubs that are part of this tour.

“The tour was brought to us by a well-respected and established group, so it gave us confidence that this would be a really exciting tour and at no point whatsoever did we think we’d be in the position we are right now.

“We have been in close dialogue with the tour promoters for the past two months as they sought new investment, following the loss of the original tour investor, but unfortunately, and despite numerous promises, they have not delivered.

“We’ve not taken this decision lightly and have explored every avenue thoroughly in an attempt to not let our fans down, including numerous conversations with other local promoters.

“Of course, this decision is a big blow to the club from a commercial perspective, but I am fully aware of the most important reason for pre-season, which is the preparation for another important Premier League campaign.

“Because of this, we have to move on quickly from this disappointment. We have to adapt, and will find a European solution to ensure the best possible preparation.”

On the cancellation, Jones added: “I feel incredibly disappointed that we’re not going to be able to fulfil the commitments that we made in South Korea this summer, not only for our partners and suppliers, but, of course for Hee Chan and all of our fans.

“We are absolutely gutted to not be going to Korea. We’re all devastated because we had so many different things planned for supporters that we’re now not going to be able to fulfil.

“To the supporters in Korea, we want reiterate to you that we are committed to the Korean market and we hope to find a way to demonstrate that to you, in spite of the disappointing news about the upcoming tour and matches.”

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