The Camp Nou cannot become the temple of selfies

BarcelonaNow that the third tier of the Camp Nou is already missing a scoreboard and a large part of the chairs, in the first major works that remind us to count down before saying goodbye to the stadium as we see it now, a key match is coming in the Champions League where Barça has tried to put in place all the necessary mechanisms to create a good atmosphere and avoid images like last year’s against Eintracht Frankfurt. There is a lot of talk about what the future Espai Barça will look like, but it is not just about thinking about it physically. It is also necessary to decide how it should be socially. Think about who will be there and how they will act.

The Barça stadium must find the balance between the partners and allow tourists and fans to come from all corners of the planet. It doesn’t matter where we come from, the anthem tells us. But it can’t be turned into a soulless theme park, sold for a plate of lentils when a foreigner with more money arrives. You can’t see a stadium that takes out the white flag and opens its doors to the rival fans, like on Eintracht day. It won’t happen against Inter. Not so many Italians sell, although many Inter fans who live in Barcelona – where we have more than 20,000 Italians – will surely try to buy tickets in the local fans’ area.

The Barça board, with the legacy of debts it carries from the previous president, has learned from what happened against Eintracht. And little by little he takes steps to find the perfect balance between cheering and making money, between having a soul and full pockets. A stadium that encourages help, generates an identity, connects you with your people. A stadium like that of Liverpool, Celtic or Bayern, with a round union between fans and players, makes a mess. The future stadium must have a soul. Which stadium do we want? Is it the same debate we have about the city? Do we want neighborhoods where the doors are opened to tourists and foreigners who come with more money, with no interest in integrating into the city? Do we want neighborhoods full of tourist apartments? Do we want a stadium where the songs are not even known, a temple of selfies? It’s an interesting debate: many see the season ticket as a property that allows them to do business if they want, as if they have no responsibilities. It’s like owning a flat and offering it to drunken tourists. It is your flat, of course, but with your actions you harm the neighbors, the city. Some Barça season ticket holders harm the club when they resell tickets. And the networks are full of offers to resell subscriptions to interested parties. It won’t be like Eintracht Day, but you have to be tough against these people.

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