INSIDE BARCELONA’S CAMP NOU CHAOS: WHAT IS HAPPENING AND WHY?

Optimism was high that Barca could start their home campaign this season at their spruced up stadium and La Liga even helped out by agreeing to schedule their first three matches away from the Camp Nou to give them more time.

But having moved out of their temporary home for the previous two years — the city’s 55,000-capacity Olympic stadium — Barcelona were forced into the farcical decision of holding their first two home matches at their 6,000 capacity Johan Cruyff training ground stadium.

That alone cost them an estimated more than four million euros ($4.7 million).

And on Tuesday, Barca suffered a new blow as the city council delayed granting the club a permit to reopen the ground with a reduced 27,000 capacity due to problems with evacuation routes.

“This city council must guarantee the safety of everyone who wants to go to the stadium — this is the priority,” said the Barcelona mayor’s deputy.

Barca have at least secured access to the Olympic stadium for Sunday’s league game against Real Sociedad and the Champions League clash with title-holders Paris Saint-Germain next Wednesday.

But thereafter, president Joan Laporta — ever the optimist — is hoping to secure the permit in time to face Girona on October 18 at the Camp Nou.

– ‘Things missing’ –

Since construction work began, the club has faced a number of issues.

Two changing rooms had to be rebuilt twice because of flooding. Objections from neighbours forced tighter regulation of working hours because of noise and light pollution, while material costs rose, in part due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The two lower tiers of the original stadium, opened in 1957, were maintained but over 2,000 more modifications were needed than expected.

Barcelona are estimated to be paying 1.5 billion euros ($1.75 billion) for the project, and the quicker they can reopen, the sooner they can start generating revenue from the stadium.

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The financially-stricken club are keen for the VIP seat sales already secured to be included on their books to comply with La Liga’s financial fair play rules.