Big boost for Barcelona as City Council grants key approval for Spotify Camp Nou return | OneFootball

Barcelona have been in active discussions with the Barcelona City Council in recent weeks, trying to get necessary approvals and documentations in place.

This is so that the club can return to Camp Nou and be able to host the Joan Gamper Trophy against Como on August 10.

Although the challenge is quite difficult, considering the fact that a majority of the club’s facilities may not be available until at least September, Barcelona appear to have made a major breakthrough.

City Council grants key approval

According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona have received a key Activity and Construction License today.

This comes on the back of the City Council’s Approvals Plenary Session, which okayed Camp Nou’s ongoing construction works.

This comes exactly a month before Barcelona’s scheduled Joan Gamper trophy match against Como and serves as a key opening step in the club’s bid to return to the old stadium.

Barcelona will be keen on having fans return to Camp Nou (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)

Having obtained this approval, the next step for Barcelona would be to acquire a First Occupancy Permit from the City Council.

The Catalans have already struck gold by being able to convince the City Council to grant the Activity and Construction license this week; otherwise, they would have had to wait until July 17.

Nevertheless, Barça have been in constant talks with the City Council and the Fire Department to identify exit points in the wake of a potential emergency – an essential safety mechanism that must be enabled before Camp Nou hosts an official match.

The Catalans have already accepted that only around 25,000-35,000 supporters will be allowed in the stadium for the Joan Gamper trophy final.

That means the North or the South goal might be closed off. The total capacity will be determined this week or the next.

Barcelona have also planned to conduct an official emergency drill, which is slated for July 28th.