BARCELONA could shut the Nou Camp until next February with the current season remaining unfinished, if Spanish football’s doomsday scenario over the coronavirus pandemic come true.
LaLiga president Javier Tebas believes the Spanish game would lose £882million should these fears come true – no more matches and a transfer window delayed from August 15 until the next campaign starts on September 15.
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Lionel Messi and Co took a big pay cut while non-playing staff were furloughed but the financial costs for Barcelona could yet soarCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Barcelona are reportedly preparing to play without fans for ten months, although the more optimistic possibility is supporters once again packing the Nou Camp by November.
Already Lionel Messi and his Barca team-mates have taken a 70 per cent pay cut, with the club putting some non-playing staff on the Spanish version of furlough.
Now La Vanguardia say they have a leaked report into Barca’s doomsday planning, offering two alternative outcomes.
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In the more negative case, Barcelona would take a huge financial hit if the Nou Camp stays shut to spectators until February.
The more positive scenario would see LaLiga resuming on June 15 and finishing in mid-August.
But even if that happens, Barcelona are not said to be expecting fans to be allowed in until November.
The Spanish giants have also been reeling this month for other reasons.
Last week they had to reshape their board after six directors quit.
Spain is one of the countries to suffer most severely from Covid-19, with more than 20,000 deaths amid over 200,000 confirmed cases.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
