Messi, Iniesta cancel Turkey charity match appearance

Barcelona striker, Lionel Messi and teammate, Andres Iniesta, have not travelled to Turkey for a charity match in Antalya, the club said on Saturday in a statement. It said that both players had remained in Spain following the attempted military coup in Turkey. It noted that several current and former leading players had committed to play in the match in the Mediterranean coastal city. The game had been organised by Samuel Eto’o, a former teammate of both Iniesta and Messi, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of his charity foundation. “Barcelona players, Arda Turan and former players, Carlos Puyol, Deco and Eric Abidal, who were already in Turkey, are safe and in contact with the club,’’ it said. According to the statement, Barcelona is trying to arrange their journey back to Spain.