UEFA has made a pivotal decision regarding Barcelona’s planned return to Spotify Camp Nou in September, which will impact the club’s preparations.
Barcelona’s highly anticipated return to their iconic Spotify Camp Nou has hit another snag, casting uncertainty over their plans to welcome fans back to the revamped stadium.
The Catalan club has been working tirelessly to prepare the venue for its grand reopening, targeting a capacity of 27,000 for its first La Liga home match against Valencia on September 14.
However, ongoing issues with security measures and licensing have delayed their request to the city council, leaving the club scrambling to meet critical deadlines.
In a surprising turn of events, UEFA has rejected Barcelona’s request to play their opening Champions League match away from home, a decision that could disrupt their European campaign, as reported by Catalunya Radio.
The club had hoped to buy extra time to finalize preparations at Camp Nou for the league phase of the competition, which begins between September 16 and 18.
UEFA’s firm stance, as reported by Catalunya Radio, stems from its policy of not granting special dispensations for scheduling.
This means Barcelona must confirm their home venue by August 28, when the Champions League draw takes place, with no option to alter it afterward.
The timing of UEFA’s decision complicates matters significantly.
If Camp Nou isn’t ready by mid-September, Barcelona may be forced to return to Montjuic, their temporary home, for the first half of their Champions League fixtures.
The second round of matches, scheduled for September 30 to October 1, adds further pressure to resolve the stadium’s readiness.
The club’s efforts to address security concerns and secure the necessary permits are ongoing, but the clock is ticking.
For Barcelona, this setback is a blow to their ambitions of reestablishing Camp Nou as their fortress in both domestic and European competitions.
UEFA standing firm, Barcelona’s focus now shifts to ensuring their iconic stadium is ready to host Europe’s elite or preparing for an unexpected return to Montjuic.
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