Barcelona cancels meetings amid reports that coach Tito Vilanova is ill

BARCELONA, Spain – Barcelona has canceled meetings with the club president and journalists amid reports that coach Tito Vilanova is ill.

The club says "it has suspended a meeting with President Sandro Rosell scheduled for this afternoon" and " has canceled Christmas lunch with the media."

Barcelona says on its website that a new statement will be released later Wednesday.

Sports newspaper Mundo Deportivo says on its website that Vilanova has fallen ill.

Vilanova had a tumor removed last year from a saliva gland.

Vilanova took over from Pep Guardiola this season after passing medical checks and with the approval of the doctors who had treated him.

Barcelona has won 15 of its first 16 league games and leads the standings with 46 points, nine ahead of Atletico Madrid.