November 29 – In a rarely seen move, FC Barcelona, have closed part of their temporary home, Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys to their own fans!
Barca is currently involved in a stand-off with a section of their fanbase after closing part of the stadium indefinitely due to fines over poor behaviour from their supporters.
With the Camp Nou closed until at least 2026 due to extensive renovations, Barcelona have been playing their home matches at the unloved Olympic Stadium since the beginning of the 2023-24 season.
In a statement, Barca said the Espai d’Animacio (supporters’ space) would be “closed due to non-compliance by the groups that form part of the obligations they have assumed with the club”.
Since last season the club has been fined by the Catalonian government, La Liga, and UEFA a total of €21,000. While a meagre sum when compared to the wages of the squad, it represents a blackeye for the club in terms of PR.
The latest fine was imposed by UEFA after a banner with Nazi connotations was displayed in the away end during the Champions League game in Monaco that read ‘Flick heil’, referring to Barca’s new German manager Hansi Flick.
The club have paid the fines but are now demanding that the supporters’ stand reimburse them in an attempt to stop this sort of behaviour. Club president Joan Laporta gave the groups – Almogavers, Front 532, Nostra Ensenya, and Supporters Barca – 15 days to pay but they refused to do so.
Last year fan groups and the club supposedly came to an agreement whereby the club would claim a refund from the supporters’ stand for any disciplinary fines associated with that part of the stadium. But Albert Yarza, president of Almogavers, said the groups were unaware of the situation.
“During this process, the groups have been given up to three deadlines to comply with their obligations. The last one expired at midnight last night without any result,” the club statement read. “Having failed to comply with their obligations by any of the deadlines granted, Barcelona is closing the Espai d’Animacio indefinitely.”
“We are sad and surprised by the club’s reaction,” Almogavers’ Yarza told The Athletic. “The club has set a deadline for the payment of the €21,000 and we have not agreed to pay it because it means taking on responsibilities that we believe we do not have. The club is punishing us today by not allowing us to go to the stadium.”
Barcelona have made no official comment.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1734895345labto1734895345ofdlr1734895345owedi1734895345sni@o1734895345fni1734895345