April 8 – Barcelona’s planned €600 million redevelopment of the iconic Nou Camp stadium will go ahead after more than 27,000 of the Spanish club’s members voted in favour.
Europe’s largest football stadium will be increased from a 99,354 capacity to 105,000 by 2021, and a roof built to cover the ground. The club is collectively owned by 160,000 members, with 72% of a low 37,535 turnout backing the proposal.
The development represents some positive news at last for Barca following the resignation of club president Sandro Rosell over the Neymar transfer controversy and, more recently, the transfer ban imposed on the club by FIFA for acquiring under-age players.
Construction work is due to start in 2017 and be completed by early 2021.
The vote was only the second in the club’s 115-year history, the previous ballot coming in 1950 when members backed plans to move from the old Las Corts stadium to the Nou Camp
Barcelona have played at their current ground since 1957. “This is a big step forward,” said new Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu. “In 2021 we will have a Nou Camp which all Barcelona members and fans will be proud of and allow us to say we have a ground of the same level as our team. Many members have told me that they have voted for a project which, because of their age, they will never see. But for a better Barcelona and better Nou Camp for their grandchildren.”
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