FC Barcelona ‘Close To' Cancelling Camp Nou Return
FC Barcelona is close to cancelling its announced and planned return to the Spotify Camp Nou on August 10 according to SPORT, which cited anonymous sources.
Barca's iconic ground has been undergoing a renovation since 2023, which is when the men's first team had to take its home games to Montjuic.
Using the old Olympic stadium for two seasons, Barca announced around three weeks ago that it would be going home on August 10 to host its annual Joan Gamper Trophy match which marks the start of a new campaign after a preseason tour that is often held in the United States or Asia.
'This return represents a historic milestone for the Club and for Barça fans, since after more than two years of extensive renovation and temporarily playing away from home at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium, they will once again experience the excitement of football in the Barça temple, in the heart of Les Corts. However, it should be noted that the return will take place while the works on the new Spotify Camp Nou continue, and it will be necessary to coexist with performances in different areas of the venue,' the Catalans warned.
Since then, however, there have been frequent reports that Barca might not be able to pull off the return because of not having the right licenses and permits from the Barcelona city council.
On Wednesday, SPORT reports that Barca is 'close to suspending the celebration of the Joan Gamper trophy at the Spotify Camp Nou scheduled for August 10', as despite the construction works continuing to advance a lot in recent week, the 'reality' is that the club looks unlikely to receiving its first occupancy license which means it is now setting itself the challenge of getting Camp Nou ready for Hansi Flick's men's first La Liga home match on September 14 against Valencia.
A final decision on the matter will be made on Friday, and 'everything indicates that the Gamper will not be played at the Camp Nou'.
The Estadi Johany Cruyff has been touted as an alternative venue, and holds ten times less than what Camp Nou was tipped to for the Gamper.
This is because Barca first considered opening its stadium for 60,000 spectators and then tried for 30,000-32,000 instead.
As SPORT reports, though, 'everything indicates that it will not be possible' to host either capacity.
Not returning to Camp Nou in August will be very embarrassing for FC Barcelona
Not returning to Camp Nou in August will be very embarrassing for FC Barcelona on August 10, especially after making a grand announcement that this would be the case. If it doesn't come off, it beggars belief as to why President Joan Laporta decided to go out on a limb without the proper licenses and permissions in place.
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