Barcelona given stadium reprieve by UEFA after Council fine handed out

Barcelona have been given a fresh reprieve by UEFA, following more negative news on their return to Camp Nou. The Blaugrana had planned to be back there in two weeks for their first home game of the season against Valencia, but that no longer looks as if that will be the case.

According to RAC1, the Blaugrana have received notice from the City Council that it is not possible to open Camp Nou for the 14th of September, and that the game must take place at the 6,000-seater Estadi Johan Cruyff. Montjuic is in use for a concert that weekend.

The Blaugrana have also been fined by the Council €300 for breaching their construction permits, after they were found to be working on a Sunday. They do not have permission to do so, and the local police halted them in the act. That is according to Cadena SER, but they do have positive news the Catalan giants though.

Barcelona have received news that UEFA will relax their stadium regulations for the league phase of the Champions League. While they state that a club must use the same stadium for the entirety of the league phase, and then can change once for the knockouts, they say that UEFA are willing to reassess midway through the league phase, understanding that Barcelona’s reasoning behind the wish to change is a good one.

The upshot is that their opening home game against Paris Saint-Germain would be held at Montjuic, while they would aim to return for their second home clash with Olympiakos.

The news is positive for Barcelona, who are desperate to return to Camp Nou, and optimise their matchday earning potential. Barcelona have already suffered four setbacks on their return date, and it looks like they are set for a fifth.