In a new approach to easing their financial issues, Barcelona are set to rent out their Camp Nou pitch to amateur clubs this summer.
The Spanish giants’ money problems over the past year have been well-known. Last August, Barca president Joan Laporta announced that the club was in €1.35 million of debt.
La Liga reacted by cutting their salary cap to €97 million, a figure that was €285 million below the number from the 2020/21 season.
That meant Barcelona had to act quickly to sell players to lower their wage bill – or leave them unregistered.
Until late August, when club captain Gerard Pique took a wage deferral, new signings Memphis Depay, Sergio Aguero and Eric Garcia were not registered. However, journalist Gerard Romero (as per Barca Universal) has since claimed that Barca now owe Pique over €50 million in unpaid salary.
The likes of Antoine Griezmann and Emerson Royal left the club. Lionel Messi, meanwhile, had to depart on a free transfer after Les Cules could not renew his contract.
Under the management of Xavi, Barcelona began to spend more in January. They splashed out €65 million to sign Ferran Torres from Manchester City.
However, that deal didn’t come without its roadblocks. Spanish journalist Lu Martin revealed that Barca owed City €1.5 million for the 2013 transfer of Denis Suarez, which delayed proceedings. In addition, the Spanish giants wanted Torres to return to City on loan if they could not register him.
The club’s debt has been reduced since, but they still face significant problems. And their latest move shows precisely that.
Barcelona rent out Camp Nou pitch
In an unprecedented move, fans will now get a chance to live out their dreams and play at Camp Nou – at a price.
Barcelona are renting out their Camp Nou pitch to amateur clubs on June 26. However, it will cost any interested parties a fee of €300 per player to play.
According to a press release on the club’s official website, players will be allowed to enter the pitch in the same way as the players – through the Camp Nou tunnel.
They can then warm-up for 15 minutes before the match gets underway. Each match lasts for 60 minutes. In addition, so that everyone can get their money’s worth, each player will get at least 40 minutes of on-pitch time.
If that wasn’t enough, the teams will get a tour of Camp Nou after the match has finished. It is a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The opportunity is already sold out. That means that the club are guaranteed €6,600 for every match that takes place. Although not mega-money in major football club terms, every euro helps to aid their deep financial worries.
Featured Image Credit: Getty
