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Berlin - Bundesliga side Schalke 04 cancelled a planned pre-season tour to China next month due to problems with organising matches and issues with broadcasting rights, the club announced on Tuesday.
The Royal Blues also decided to cancel their trip to the far East for the end of July due to scheduling conflicts with the new Bundesliga season to begin on August 14.
Smooth trip
Schalke are without a coach after Roberto di Matteo stepped down after less than a year in charge as his side finished sixth in the German league and failed to qualify for the Champions League.
"Due to the time lag in our planning after qualifying directly for the Europa League, we are no longer convinced of a successful and smooth trip to China," said Schalke's marketing director Alexander Jobst.
"Cancellations of proposed friendlies, no guarantee of nationwide broadcast from the Chinese state television, as well as a lack of trust in the agency responsible for organising this trip, have led to the decision to postpone.
Marketing potential
"A trip like this has to be prepared extensively and needs to guarantee a convincing success in this new market for the club.
"Unfortunately, this does not appear to be realistic."
Jobst led a five-man Schalke delegation to China in October last year to organise the trip as the club are eager to expand their marketing potential in Asia.
