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- Barcelona not optimistic of receiving first occupancy license
- Club’s proposition of using particular stands on hold
- Joan Gamper Trophy might be shifted to different ground
According to Mundo Deportivo Barcelona find themselves in dire straits as the City Council might not issue their First Occupancy license after approving the Activities and Construction license last week. In order to complete the lower level and initial seating tiers of the stadium, the club need to be granted a First Occupancy license, which can then give them access to a 60,000 capacity in the stadium. But due to the constraints, they can host only 25,000 fans for the Joan Gamper Trophy match against Como on August 10. Barca have also planned a drill, without fans, in late July, to test the operations.
Last week’s decision received a warm welcome as the club could now start selling off the premium VIP seats, which is part of a €100 million 30-year revenue plan and crucial to their hopes of complying with La Liga’s financial rules. However, the club need complete approval by late July for the Joan Gamper Trophy and a delay could force the game to be shifted to Estadi Johan Cruyff, which has a 6,000 capacity. The Estadi Olimpic is also an option, but it has a concert scheduled for August 9, one day prior to Barca’s game against Cesc Fabregas’ side.
Camp Nou has been under construction for the last two years, forcing the Catalans to play their home games at Montjuic.
Not only the Joan Camper Trophy, but the club’s La Liga and Champions League matches may also be affected as UEFA has mentioned a club needs to play the entirety of the league phase in the same stadium.
