Turin, Aug. 11 (LaPresse) – New obstacles are threatening Barcelona’s return to their historic home, the renovated Spotify Camp Nou. According to Catalan broadcaster RAC1, the first technical inspection by the Barcelona City Council identified more than 200 structural problems that must be fixed before the stadium can reopen to fans. The club’s original plan was to celebrate the reopening during the Joan Gamper Trophy, but delays forced the match to be moved to the Johan Cruyff Stadium. A subsequent agreement with the City Council allowed for a gradual return of spectators starting with the match against Valencia on the weekend of September 14, but the newly reported issues now seriously jeopardize that date as well.
The matter is further complicated from a Champions League perspective: UEFA regulations require that all group stage matches be played in the same venue. If Camp Nou is not ready, Barcelona will have to play the entire group stage at Montjuïc, with inevitable sporting and financial repercussions.