Barcelona’s plans for the Champions League have taken a setback after UEFA rejected the membership’s request to start the competitors with an away fixture.
Based on , the Catalan giants had contacted the governing physique in mid-July, asking to keep away from enjoying their first European conflict at residence resulting from ongoing work on the Camp Nou.
Commercial
Whereas UEFA confirmed receiving the request, the organisation made it clear from the outset that such calls for have by no means been accepted prior to now.
UEFA’s outright rejection
The federation reminded Barça that it has by no means positioned circumstances on the draw and wouldn’t make an exception this time.
This implies the Blaugrana will now have to attend till August 28 for the group stage draw to find whether or not luck is on their facet.
If the draw locations Barcelona away from residence, Hansi Flick’s males will begin their marketing campaign on overseas soil between September 16 and 18, with their European debut on the Camp Nou then set for September 30 or October 1.
Barcelona are dealing with uncertainty concerning Camp Nou return. (Photograph by Alex Caparros/Getty Photographs)
Commercial
Nevertheless, if destiny dictates in any other case, Barça could also be pressured to welcome Europe’s elite in a stadium that’s nonetheless underneath building.
Uncertainty round Camp Nou return
The issues don’t cease with the Champions League. Barcelona are additionally dealing with the potential for contained in the Camp Nou.
The renovation mission continues to be incomplete, with two stands but to satisfy the required security requirements.
The membership is pushing arduous to reopen the bottom underneath what they name “section one” of the works, which might permit them to deliver supporters again as quickly as doable. However the actuality is that the possibilities of reaching this in time stay slim.
If the required permissions aren’t secured rapidly, Barça’s first residence match of the league season might be performed behind closed doorways, a situation the membership is determined to keep away from.