Barcelona's institutional vice-president, Elena Fort, was the first person from the club to speak publicly in 2025, beyond Hansi Flick's pre- and post-match press conferences. Not only did he address the Dani Olmo signing drama, but he promised a return to Camp Nou soon.
The club had originally set a date for the end of November for the club to return to a renovated Camp Nou with a capacity of around 60,000. However, the dates have been postponed on three occasions, and there is still no certainty of when they will be back in their homes. She promised RAC1 that they will be back this season though, and not in September, as some reports have suggested.
“There is still no date for the return to the Camp Nou. But it will be this season. The club has been very transparent with the evolution of the works, when what was said is said because it was what was thought at that time. The first forecasts, which were very strict, have changed. We had construction problems, defects that were detected … every little imponderable made the set date slide further back. We have to value the fact that the stadium is built. It's a dream and soon it will come true.”
Lamine Yamal: “I don't know when I will renew my contract, but I think soon. Barcelona is the club of my life and I hope to renew my contract for as long as possible.” @cnnsport pic.twitter.com/zyRHdhKrEM
— Barcacentre (@barcacentre) January 8, 2025
Previously, it was reported that Barcelona would be fined 1 million euros per day by construction group Limak for each day past the agreed return date. This was questioned however, and Fort backed away from the idea of claiming that money, despite their stretched finances.
“All contracts have obligations and guarantees. There is a penalty and at the end of the works is when the penalties of the situations will be analyzed, which have not always had to do with the construction company.
“We live in a time of excessive noise, with a lot of comments. Barça is a very strong club and this board has done a great job.”#Boat Institutional VP Elena Fort on Raphinha's comments at RAC1. pic.twitter.com/3NaHGdTfRs
— Football España (@footballespana_) January 8, 2025
Barcelona faced something of a problem with their continued stay at Montjuic. Not only do they lack the vital income on match days, the club is considered potential play Champions League ties in Madrid or Valencia the last stages are done. The Blaugrana have only rented the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys until the end of April, and some of the dates that the Champions League will take place already have concerts organized by the Barcelona Council.
