FC Barcelona Officially Suspends Its Spotify Camp Nou Return
FC Barcelona announced that it has officially suspended its planned Spotify Camp Nou return on August 10 through an official statement sent to members of the press on Friday afternoon.
'FC Barcelona informs that it has suspended the first return match at the Spotify Camp Nou, which coincided with the celebration of the Joan Gamper Trophy on August 10. This decision is due to the fact that the execution of the works to comply with the requirements of the Regulatory Ordinance of Municipal Intervention Procedures in Works, has made it unfeasible to carry out the necessary procedures for the granting of the first occupation license,' the statement began.
Barca explained that due to the size of the work carried out on a renovation that first got underway in spring 2023, 'it has been impossible to meet all the requirements set out in the regulations governing the obtaining of the first occupancy license, despite the Club's desire to launch Spotify Camp Nou by sector'.
'The Club is working hand in hand with the Barcelona City Council and the organizations involved to be able to make progress on the different requirements and will communicate to FC Barcelona members any new information regarding the return date. This delay does not affect the payment schedule for the return of the Espai Barça debt,' it insisted, while concluding with a promise to provide more information about the Gamper soon.
Barca first went out on a limb and announced that it would return to Camp Nou on August 10 as June drew to a close.
In recent weeks, however, reports spread about the club failing to get the right permits in place to hold the Gamper match, which traditionally kicks off the season as the first team squad is introduced to matchgoing fans.
Barca tried to get clearance for 60,000 punters to see the match which was last year played against AS Monaco and should this year see Como travel to Catalonia.
When that failed, it went for a lower number of 30,000-32,000 spectators but once again that plan fell by the wayside.
A couple of days ago, SPORT then reported that the club was 'close' to scrapping the plan and explained that a decision would be made on Friday, which has proven to be accurate.
FC Barcelona will now try another date for its Camp Nou return
The defending champions confirmed that the Gamper will now take place at the 6,000-holding Johan Cruyff stadium and FC Barcelona will now look at getting its house in order before Valencia visits Hansi Flick's men in La Liga for the first home game of the season on the weekend of September 13.
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