Young athletes left with broken hearts, parents bilked for thousands as BCN Sports files for insolvency in Canada.

EDMONTON, AB - After accepting thousands upon thousands of dollars from parents in major cities across Canada for soccer academy and camp registration fees, BCN Sports, partner of Barca Academy, is using the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse to cease operations and walk away with the funds they collected.

Some families were part of a program in which their children would participate in a tournament in Spain, an experience of a lifetime for young, gifted soccer players.

“We sent the money, and never received any flight tickets, hotel reservations or confirmation numbers - nothing, as far as I know they might never have booked anything, but kept the money. Our family is out over $10000, and that is an incredible amount of money for our family, said Ryan, one of the many parents impacted.

Offering discount after discount, BCN pressured families to register early for summer camps and to forward payments for the world cup tournament earlier than usual. When Canada Soccer announced that all soccer activities would be suspended until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Barca Academy reached out to registered families by phone, letting them know the only option would be to transfer payments to summer camps and alternatively scheduled events, refusing to provide refunds to anyone who made the request.

“They kept everyone’s money knowing that they would not be providing a service for it. I feel taken advantage of and disgusted that they would take money from families with no intent to provide the service paid for,” said Clarissa.

Those who accepted the credit didn’t hear from the company again until April 30, when BCN sent an email to all Canadian families, letting them know they were filing for voluntary insolvency.

“I feel like I have been scammed during a time when people and businesses are coming together”, said Meriam, another impacted parent.

In an email sent to parents on May 4, Sergi Pi Casany, Local Project Director Edmonton for FC Barcelona shared the following from Barca Academy: 

“...Despite the best efforts made by Futbol Club Barcelona to try to give continuity to the project, our partner, BCN SPORTS, has irrevocably made its decision to definitively close all academies.

Despite this unfortunate situation, we are sending you all of our support, commitment and help to ensure that BCN SPORTS, as the responsible entity of registration for all the activities planned under the aforementioned projects, responds to you and to all the families affected, assuming full responsibility, including financial obligations originated from its decision to imminently close the five venues, as well as the Barça Academy Camps…”

As of the publish date of this blog post, BCN is still operating academies worldwide. BCN executives are running Avanza Sports, potentially out of the same office. Registrations and payment are still being accepted on the Barca Academy Edmonton website.

For many families, this isn’t just about losing money in a time when every dollar counts. “My son is heartbroken to find out this way that they won’t have a team to go back after this is all over,” says Alex.

“Our son has been practicing in the academy for two years and he had so much expectation about his progress in the club and in this sport in general. Not to mention the friendships they established in the club, he hadn't had a chance to say goodbye to his coaches and friends. We are very disappointed and angry at the way they acted,” said Maya.

As of the date this blog was published, parents are still in the dark as to what comes next, but those who paid fees with credit cards or paypal are encouraged to contact their bank and file a dispute against the claim for services not rendered.