Manchester City’s preseason plans were disrupted when their flight to China was delayed by a day due to “unforeseen administrative issue,” the Premier League champions said.
City were due to fly from Manchester Airport on Saturday for next week’s Premier League Asia Trophy match against West Ham, but their chartered flight remained grounded.
The club said in a statement posted on social media: “Due to an unforeseen administrative issue beyond the Club’s control, which is being resolved, regrettably, we will embark on our pre-season tour a little later than intended.
“We will now travel tomorrow and look forward to taking part in the Premier League Asia Trophy as planned.”
Earlier in the day, City had announced their 26-man squad for the trip which included summer signings Rodri and Angelino as well as 12 academy prospects. However, Brazil internationals Ederson, Fernandinho and Gabriel Jesus were not included following their victorious appearance in the Copa America final last weekend, while Sergio Aguero and Nicolas Otamendi were also left out after Argentina contested the third-place playoff.
Pep Guardiola’s side take on the Hammers at the Olympic Sports Center in Nanjing on Wednesday for a place in the final against Newcastle or Wolves on. Both the final and the third-placed playoff will take place on Saturday, July 20 at the Hongkou stadium in Shanghai. City will then travel to Hong Kong to face local side Kitchee FC four days later.