UEFA announce Barcelona return date for Camp Nou | OneFootball

Barcelona’s return to Camp Nou appears to be just a month away, as they look to reopen their home stadium, which has been renovated for the past two years. UEFA have declared that Camp Nou will be the venue for their second home game of the season in the Champions League.

The Catalan giants had originally planned to be back in Camp Nou 11 months ago, but have consistently had to delay their return. Now they will reopen their stadium in sections, with just 27,000 fans allowed in to begin with.

UEFA grant Barcelona leeway for Camp Nou

UEFA regulations do state that clubs are supposed to remain in the same stadium for the entirety of the league phase, and are only permitted to change going into the knockout stages, except in cases of force majeure. Clearly Europe’s governing body has considered this the case, and has granted the Blaugrana some leeway. Originally, Barcelona planned to be back at Camp Nou for their opening Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, but they have been forced to return to Montjuic, after hosting their first two home games at their training ground in the 6,000-seater Estadi Johan Cruyff.

Image via FC Barcelona

Sport say that Barcelona are now on course to return to Camp Nou for their home tie against Olympiakos on the 21st of October, aftre UEFA confirmed the move.

Barcelona still yet to receive opening licence from City Council

However all of this is still subject to Barcelona obtaining the required licence to reopen the stadium. After the most recent inspection, the Barcelona Council still found Camp Nou lacking with regard to safety standards, thus denying them permission to reopen he ground.

La Liga are yet to provide an update on where Barcelona will play their next home game on the 18th of October against Girona. If Barcelona cannot obtain the licence in time, then the likelihood is that they will continue to play at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys for the time being. Culers will no doubt be cautious about getting their hopes up, having been given false hope on several occasions before by the club.