Source:REUTERS/FRANCISCO UBILLA
[Saba Sports News] According to Spanish media, Barcelona had originally planned to return to Camp Nou for their home match against Valencia on September 14, but they have yet to receive the necessary permissions. Barcelona must report their home stadium for the Champions League group stage to UEFA by August 28, and all matches in the group stage must be played at the same venue. Last week, Barcelona was hopeful of obtaining the completion certificate for the Camp Nou renovations, but they have still not received it. This document is a prerequisite for the city government to issue a stadium usage permit, which is required for fans to enter the stadium. However, there has been no progress on this matter, and the options available to Barcelona are dwindling.
Barcelona still hopes to receive the necessary permission in the coming days, allowing them to report to UEFA the identity of their Champions League home stadium, and to partially open Camp Nou for the match against Valencia on September 14, with an expected capacity of 27,000 spectators, gradually increasing to 45,000 and then 60,000.
However, if the city government does not issue the permit due to incomplete renovations, Barcelona will have to consider alternative options. One possibility is to return to Montjuïc Stadium, but this presents challenges, as a concert is scheduled there on September 12, just two days before the match against Valencia. Reports indicate that Barcelona is maintaining close communication with the city government to determine whether it would be possible to hold matches at Montjuïc Stadium until January, when the entire Champions League group stage concludes.