City Council believes Barcelona will play at Montjuic Stadium ‘for a few more months’ | OneFootball

The Deputy Mayor for Security of Barcelona, Albert Batlle, stated this morning that it is likely that FC Barcelona’s men’s first team will not return immediately to the Camp Nou, and that their stay at Montjuïc will be extended for part of the new season.

“It will probably have to be used for a few more months,” the councillor said in an interview with RAC1 (h/t SPORT).

Batlle described it as “elementary prudence” for Barça to have a “Plan B” and to have reached an agreement with the municipal company BSM to secure the use of Montjuic until February, when the first phase of the Champions League ends.

“It is good and prudent to start thinking about alternatives, among other reasons, because there is no need to rush. Fortunately, in Barcelona we have a substitute, which is the Estadi Olimpic,” he recalled.

At the same time, Batlle pointed out that the club “has not presented the final works certificate,” meaning that “as of today, it has not presented the conditions required to apply for the first occupancy licence.”

Barcelona could return to Montjuic Stadium. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

On this matter, he urged against haste. “Let us not put pressure on the deadlines. Where we must apply pressure is on the conditions of the opening, which must be done with maximum safety,” he emphasised.

The City Council member referred back to 1988 to recall the inauguration of the renovated Estadi Olimpic, which was overshadowed by leaks and flooding four years before the 1992 Olympic Games.

“That cannot happen again. Back then, technical and political responsibilities were addressed,” Batlle said, stressing that “Barça know what they have to do.”

“Afterwards, those responsible for the works must certify their completion, and the inspection teams of the city council must issue their reports.

“But right now, and never has the expression been more fitting, the ball is in Barça’s court, which must meet the conditions,” Batlle concluded.