Barcelona admit deficiencies in Camp Nou works; Montjuic option back on the table – report | OneFootball

According to RAC1 (h/t SPORT), FC Barcelona have acknowledged that deficiencies persist in the first phase of the renovation works at Spotify Camp Nou, specifically in the main stand and south goal sections.

These are the areas scheduled to reopen first, with an expected capacity of around 27,000 spectators.

Further delay possible

As per the report, the discovery of these irregularities has forced Barça to rethink their plans and request a new meeting this Tuesday with the City Council to renegotiate the delivery date of the final completion certificate – a document essential for hosting matches at the stadium.

The shortcomings directly affect safety standards as well as other areas requiring improvements to meet minimum requirements.

As a result, Barcelona accept that they must postpone the originally planned timetable for the certificate, which was supposed to be ready just after the Gamper Trophy, over a week ago.

Technical reports suggest that, at best, the certificate validating the end of this first phase will not be ready until the end of the month. Even so, the club is still working towards returning to Camp Nou on the weekend of 14 September, when Valencia visit in La Liga.

The big question is whether the bureaucratic process for permits can be completed in time. The occupation permit, dependent on both the City Council and safety regulators, was initially expected in the first week of September, with approval to admit 27,000 fans.

Montjuic back on the horizon

Barcelona are not ruling out the possibility of Montjuic return. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Faced with this uncertainty, the report adds that Barça has opened talks with Barcelona Serveis Municipals to activate a Plan B that would allow matches at Montjuic, including the clash against Valencia and the first Champions League home fixture.

For the European competition, Barça must inform UEFA by 28 August, the date of the group-stage draw, in which stadium they will host their four home fixtures of the league phase.

The opening round is scheduled for 16-18 September, with the second between 30 September and 1 October.

However, even Montjuic presents challenges. The Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys hosts a Post Malone concert on 12 September, only two days before the potential La Liga match against Valencia, raising concerns about logistics and preparation.

What is clear is that Barcelona’s Camp Nou return could be delayed unless the club secures a swift agreement with the City Council on the completion certificate and accelerates works to guarantee safety in the main stand and south goal.

The pressure is enormous: every day without the stadium in operation creates not only sporting but also financial headaches for a club desperate to return home after two years away and counting heavily on matchday revenue for this season’s budget.