MAKE THAT A TRIPLE CAPTAIN MORGAN Barca pour oil on troubled waters

Barcelona’s first mixedsex tour was overshadowed by controversy this week after it emerged that the men’s football team flew in business class to the United States while the women’s team was relegated to economy class.

The Spanish giants posted photos and videos of the two teams boarding the Portland-bound plane together but photos posted by the female players online showed they were flying in economy, sparking an outcry on social media.

“There was a photo of the captains in business class. The men took their seats in business class and the women returned to their economy seats,” wrote one fan.

“If any of the women were in Business Class, then we certainly didn’t see them. If FC Barcelona say they are about equality, then the actions must back it up.”

But Alexia Putellas of the women’s team said the teams flew in separate sections because the female squad had been added to the tour at a late stage after the club had already chartered its flight and all the business seats had been assigned to the men.

“The club made an effort to organise everything practically at the last minute ... I wish we would always travel like this, in these conditions,” she told reporters in Portland.

Sports daily Marca reported that there were only 36 spaces at the front of the plane and each female player was booked three seats for comfort.

“A controversy was generated without taking into account everything we do. The club chartered a plane, but at the beginning it was not anticipated that the female team would be on the tour. It’s a logistics problem,” Barcelona vice president Josep Vives said.

Maria Teixidor, director of the women’s team, defended the club, saying it was unfair criticism.

“To all of you who criticised the conditions of the women’s team’s trip, I say that Barca asked its female players to travel with its male players so that in the future they can travel in business class on their own plane,” she said.

The women’s team return home tomorrow – in business class.

The men’s team will stay until next Saturday, where they play friendlies against Tottenham, Roma and Milan. – AFP

Picture: AFP Alex Morgan of the United States celebrates after scoring against Japan in their Tournament of Nations opener in Kansas City on Thursday. The United States captain went on to complete her hat-trick in the US’ 4-2 win.