Barcelona mayor coy on Spotify Camp Nou readiness for Gamper Trophy match | OneFootball

Barcelona officially announced the reopening of the Spotify Camp Nou and the date of their return to the venue earlier this week with everything seemingly set for a return for the Joan Gamper Trophy match on August 10.

After all, the first official game was set to be held at the venue only over a month later and all the formalities seemed closed.

As relayed earlier this week, however, there is now a doubt over pulling the event off at the historic venue. Delays in the formal procedure and permit-taking have been taking a lot of the time of the construction.

As such, it is slowly appearing to be more likely that Barcelona return home directly in September.

Barcelona mayor speaks

Speaking to the media at a public appearance (h/t Mundo Deportivo), Barcelona mayor Jaume Collboni commented on the possible reopening of the Spotify Camp Nou and whether it was indeed a possibility for the Joan Gamper Trophy on August 10.

“We will do as with any other project. They have to ask us for an opening license and then the City Council will do the inspection, especially from the field of security, to see if everything is correct,” he said, implying that it was anything but a given.

Elaborating on the current status of the operation, the mayor revealed that it had not yet been initiated.

“As far as I know, this request has not yet been given.”

Barcelona plan on Camp Nou return on August 10. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Needless to say, the mayor’s words echo those of the first deputy mayor Laia Bonet from earlier this week when she made it clear that the reopening of the venue will be as per the completion of formalities and that a clear date cannot be fixed at this point.

“When the works have been finished, we will be able to enter to see if the stadium is in a position to welcome the public in this space,” she began.

She did, however, transmit optimism that Barcelona would have a plan in mind to meet all required criteria for its reopening especially given that they have officially announced the date.

“Because they have calculated what remains to be done. The works have to be completed in a timely manner to be able to request the provisional first occupation license for the opening of the first and second gallery.”

For Barcelona to obtain the required first occupation license, they must first finish the construction of the first and second galleries which has not been done yet.

Following Camp Nou’s opening, the construction of the third gallery will continue as will the construction of the double VIP ring and the stadium’s roof.