World Sports: Barcelona submits documents to apply for license, may return to Camp Nou against Alaves

The Western media "World Sports News" reported that Barcelona is moving towards the goal of returning to the Camp Nou stadium after two and a half years of playing at the Olympic Stadium.

It is reported that the Barcelona Municipal Government has received all necessary documents submitted by the Barcelona Club to apply for a Phase 1B license. The license will allow the club to occupy the side stands and increase the currently allowed capacity of 27,000 (as set out by the Phase 1A license) to 45,000 spectators.

Technical staff from the Barcelona Municipality will review all documents and carry out the necessary inspections of the Camp Nou in the coming days. Considering that Barcelona's next game will be played at home (against Bilbao), it currently seems unlikely that this game will be played at the Nou Camp, so the game will still be played at the Olimpico Stadium.

If no deficiencies are found that need to be corrected, as was the case when applying for a Phase 1A license last time, Barcelona may return to the Camp Nou as early as the game against Alaves.

In fact, the club has regarded this date as the most likely return date, after they had conducted an open training test last Friday. Just three days later, Barcelona will face Atletico Madrid at home. This is a match in advance of the 19th round, and both teams will travel to Saudi Arabia to compete during the Spanish Super Cup.