Barcelona could take Camp Nou builders to arbitration after major redevelopment delay admitted

Barcelona's long-awaited return to the Camp Nou has suffered another setback, with the stadium redevelopment now reportedly around a year behind schedule.

The club could also enter arbitration with construction company Limak over the delay, with the final cost and responsibility for the setbacks yet to be established.

The Camp Nou revamp is a year behind schedule

Barcelona were informed that the Camp Nou renovation project will not be completed until 2027, despite the original schedule targeting completion this year.

The delay means the club's return to their renovated home has taken significantly longer than initially expected, with Barcelona having spent an additional season playing at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.

Limak has reportedly acknowledged the one-year delay for the first time, with Barcelona now set to assess the situation once the redevelopment is complete.

Economic vice-president Ferran Olive told the club's assembly that the accounts with the construction company would then need to be settled, leaving open the possibility of arbitration.

The original contract reportedly included a penalty of around €1m (£850k) for every day of delay, although those penalties are not currently being applied. Barcelona have also pointed to changes to the project, additional licensing requirements, preservation work and supply-chain problems as factors behind the delays.

The club has approved a further €300m (£256m) in borrowing to complete Espai Barça, taking the total investment in the project to around €1.8bn (£1.54bn).

FGG says: Camp Nou delay creates another headache for Barcelona

The latest delay is another setback for Barcelona, particularly given how much the club has invested in returning to the Camp Nou and the financial importance of maximising revenue from their renovated stadium.

With the causes of the delay still disputed and the final costs yet to be established, any potential dispute with Limak could become another major issue for the club to resolve before the redevelopment is finally completed.