La Liga president Javier Tebas believes the reopening of the Camp Nou will help meet the league's 1:1 Financial Fair Play rule
The 1:1 rule is designed to prevent La Liga clubs from spending beyond their means. As per Barcelona's website, the league “calculates a limit (LCPD) taking into account the club's expected income and remaining expenses, such as non-sports salaries or management expenses. This limit is compared to already committed salaries (CPD). If the limit is higher, the club can sign and renew players.”
The Blaugrana have often struggled to stay within the 1:1 limit, making it more challenging than usual to register new players with La Liga. For example, Barcelona have only been able to register recent signing Joao Cancelo due to a long-term injury exception rule that allows them to use 80% of an injured player's salary space to register a new signing. With Andreas Christensen expected to be out for four months with a knee injury, Cancelo has effectively taken the Dane's place in the squad.
Tebas highlights importance of Camp Nou to 1:1 rule ambition
Barcelona will hope such scenarios become a thing of the past soon rather than later. According to Tebas, the reopening of Camp Nou could be crucial in their efforts to return to the 1:1 rule.
“Barcelona are subject to financial fair play, and this leads them to have an increasingly compliant spending policy,” Tebas said as per Barca Universal. “Being able to inaugurate the stadium is very important.
“Even without being subject to the famous 1:1 rule, they win league titles. Their coffers are fuller. If they comply with La Liga’s regulations, I’m not worried.”
FGG says: Camp Nou should boost Barca's finances
Barcelona returned to their iconic Camp Nou home in November, although they are currently working with a capacity limit of just over 45,401 supporters. However, with renovation work ongoing, they are hoping to obtain the required license to open up more of the stadium for a 62,000 capacity, which would be more than they were able to house at their temporary home at Montjuic.
The work will continue until the stadium is in a position to reach its final 105,000 capacity, which should be at some stage next season.
As a result, the return to Camp Nou will allow Barcelona to raise more funds via ticket sales and via money being spent on the ground by supporters. The revenue will continue to increase as the club gradually opens up more of the stadium, putting them in a stronger position to return to the 1:1 rule.