**Severe Weather Forces Delay in Manchester City and Barcelona Pre-Season Friendly**

Manchester City’s highly anticipated pre-season friendly against Barcelona in Orlando, Florida, has been delayed due to severe weather conditions in the area.

The match, originally scheduled to kick off at midnight, has been pushed back as a severe storm warning has been issued for the region. Fans, including children, were advised to seek shelter under covered concourse areas until further notice.

According to reports, the earliest the game could get underway is at 1 am, provided there are no further lightning strikes within an eight-mile radius of the stadium. Regulations in the United States dictate a 30-minute delay to a match from whenever a strike of lightning hits within that radius.

Live weather forecasts show the thunderstorm crossing Tampa and over Orlando, with the worst of the rain yet to come if the weather continues on its current trajectory. Fans, including those who had arrived early to watch the pre-match build-up, were told to retreat to shelter as rain started to batter the area.

City boss Pep Guardiola had already named his starting side for the clash, which includes Jack Grealish and Kalvin Phillips. The team will play their final pre-season friendly against Chelsea in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday before returning to England for the Community Shield against Manchester United on Saturday, August 3.

Stay tuned for further updates on the match, which is expected to get underway once the severe weather warning has been lifted.

Manchester City’s pre-season friendly against Barcelona in Orlando, Florida, has been delayed due to a severe thunderstorm

A warning on the screens inside the ground advised supporters about the approaching weather

Fans clamoured into the inner workings of the ground on the advice from stadium officials

Fans including children retreated under protective shelter inside the 60,000-seater stadium

City boss Pep Guardiola had already named his starting side for the pre-season clash

Heavy rain is predicted to continue until 11pm local time, meaning City and Barcelona could be set for a four-hour wait to get the match underway

Stay tuned for further updates on the match, which is expected to get underway once the severe weather warning has been lifted.