{"id":291919,"date":"2023-09-09T15:49:16","date_gmt":"2023-09-09T15:49:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/?p=291919"},"modified":"2023-09-09T15:49:16","modified_gmt":"2023-09-09T15:49:16","slug":"barcelona-flogging-grass-from-nou-camp-as-fans-realise-theyre-broke-broke","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/soccer\/barcelona-flogging-grass-from-nou-camp-as-fans-realise-theyre-broke-broke\/","title":{"rendered":"Barcelona flogging grass from Nou Camp as fans realise ‘they’re broke broke’"},"content":{"rendered":"
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    Barcelona have been branded \u2018broke broke\u2019 after the Catalan giants took the drastic step of flogging grass from the Nou Camp.<\/p>\n

    Barca\u2019s iconic home has been largely demolished to make way for a state-of-the-art new Nou Camp, with the capacity to rise beyond the 100,000 mark. As a result, the team is playing at the city\u2019s Olympic Stadium before returning home, initially with a reduced capacity.<\/p>\n

    The extra capacity, including enhanced corporate facilities, will boost Barca\u2019s fragile finances in the long-term. However, the \u00a31.4bn stadium project, a huge wage bill and big debts have left the club with accounting issues in the short-term.<\/p>\n

    And fans reckon the club\u2019s decision to sell patches of grass underlines their desperation for cash, with prices ranging from \u00a317 to a staggering \u00a3360.<\/p>\n

    READ MORE: New footage inside Nou Camp renovations leave football fans heartbroken<\/b><\/p>\n

    \u201cThey\u2019re broke broke [crying face emoji],\u201d posted one fan on X (formerly Twitter). Another said: \u201cI know Barca are struggling financially but this is extreme.\u201d<\/p>\n

    A third added: \u201cMan, the desperation of a bankrupt club!\u201d A fourth asked: \u201cFirst they cut the youth team\u2019s breakfast, now this. What\u2019s next?\u201d A fifth said: \u201cA broke club doing everything they can.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Is the Nou Camp the most iconic stadium in football? Tell us in the comments section below<\/i> <\/b><\/p>\n

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    After a season at city rivals Espanyol\u2019s former home, which holds 55,000, Barca are due to return to the Nou Camp for 2024\/25, albeit with a 50% capacity. The rebuild is not due to be completed until the 2026\/27 campaign.<\/p>\n

    Manager and legendary former player, Xavi, said of the move last season: \u201cCamp Nou feels like my home. But it is for a good cause, to have an even better stadium where the fans will feel even better. It's for a common good.<\/p>\n

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    \u201cMy feeling is it won't be easy in Montjuic [where Olympic Stadium is]. We have to move to a new ground and we will need the fans with us.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThat atmosphere that's been generated since I have been in charge, we will need that in Montjuic. The fans need to know that we are going to need them a lot there.\u201d<\/p>\n