Barca BLOCKED from moving into £1.25b new Nou Camp due to little-known rule

BARCELONA'S return to Camp Nou has been POSTPONED due to a little-known UEFA rule.

The Spanish giants have played at the Estadio Olimpico for the past 18 months while a £1.25 billion renovation was carried out at their home ground.

The development includes an increase in capacity from 99,000 to 104,000, as well as the addition of a roof, luxury bar and new escalators.

Barcelona had hoped to move back to Camp Nou before the end of the year.

However, UEFA rules stipulate that clubs cannot change stadiums before the end of the Champions League competition phase.

It means Barcelona should have either played league matches at the Camp Nou and European matches at the Estadio Olimpico or pushed back the decision.

Now Barcelona have confirmed in an email to season ticket holders who had applied for a Camp Nou pass for the second half of the season that they will not return until at least mid-February.

They said this is due to “UEFA rules that prevent the change of stadiums during the early stages of the Champions League and the logistical difficulties and additional costs associated with operating two high-capacity facilities at the same time”.

The date change means that matches against Valencia, Alaves and Atalanta will now take place at the Estadio Olimpico.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the first match at the Nou Camp could be a LaLiga match against Rayo Vallecano on February 16, or a play-off match in the Champions League.

Barcelona will discount the price of the passes to take into account the matches moved from Camp Nou to the Estadio Olimpico – the Valencia and Alaves matches.

The match against Atalanta was already included in the Estadio Olimpico pass.

In September, virtual images were released on the Espai Barcelona website showing what the ground will look like when completed.

A summary of the development reads: 'A space where anything is possible, a place where you can experience new ways to enjoy sports and entertainment, strengthening inclusivity and integration with the neighborhood.

'An innovative and groundbreaking project.

“A far-reaching improvement to stimulate the growth of the club, secure new sources of income and secure the future of the organization.”

The improvements to the stadium will bring Barcelona £25 million more income every year.

Barcelona top the LaLiga table, six points ahead of Real Madrid, who have played one match.

In the Champions League, they have won three of their four matches and sit sixth in the table, meaning on current form they automatically qualify for the last sixteen.