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First overseas Manchester derby canceled due to bad weather

Xinhua, July 25, 2016 Adjust font size:

The International Champions Cup (ICC) match between English Premier League rivals Manchester City and Manchester United was canceled hours before kick-off after heavy rain made the pitch unfit for play at Beijing's National Stadium.

Both clubs and the organizers of the ICC believed the recent extreme weather made it unsafe to play on the uneven surface of the pitch. For the safety of players as well as the spectators, the three parties decided to cancel the friendly.

Thousands of fans for both clubs who have come to witness the first overseas Manchester derby from around China were upset by the sudden cancellation of the game.

"The organizers and both clubs regret that the game could not go on as scheduled and we would like to express our sincere apology for the fans who have been paying close attention on the game," the organizers said in a press release. Endit