FC Barcelona not allowed to practice on National Mall

If FC Barcelona comes out a little rusty in today’s match against Manchester United, they’ll be able to blame it on a vigilant U.S. Parks police officer.

The UEFA Champions League winners tried to get an impromptu practice session going Thursday on the National Mall in Washington, DC. But not even the world’s best soccer club is immune from the rules prohibiting such congregation near the White House.

They got the old heave-ho and filed back on the team bus, presumably to find a less restrictive patch of grass to practice upon.

“Security said you couldn’t have a group of more than 10 or 15 there,” midfielder Xavi said. “We wanted to loosen up a little, stretch… Given that the White House was near so it was normal security, nothing more.”