Barcelona will close a section behind the goal at the Olympic Stadium “indefinitely”, starting against Brest On Tuesday, due to a dispute with supporters’ groups over unpaid fines, the club announced.
Barça say there is an agreement with the groups that Espai d’Animació (EDA) — the singing section in the North Goal Stand — have not met any fines as a result of their behavior.
Sources told ESPN that the total amount outstanding is around €21,000 ($22,092).
“Given the agreements reached between the club and the supporters’ groups, the club, after repeated warnings, began the process to recover the monies owed for the sanctions. [the fans’] Behavior last season,” Barça said in a statement.
“This behavior has resulted in 14 disciplinary actions for breaches of existing regulations in this part of the stadium. During this process, supporters’ groups have been given three separate deadlines to fulfill their obligations. The last one was Monday. It ended at midnight.
“As the various groups have now been informed, after failing to comply with their obligations, the club will close the EDA indefinitely. The status of the EDA after the club fulfills its obligations. Reiterates its willingness to engage with these groups to discuss the situation.”
The ban will start on Tuesday, when Barcelona host Brest. Champions League The Catalan team are at home again on Saturday at the Olympic Stadium when they play Las Palmas in La Liga.
ESPN has reached out to the EDA for comment.
The EDA occupies a section behind one of the goals in the stadium — where Barca are temporarily playing while the Camp Nou is regenerated — which has around 600 seats.
Baras says. The EDA’s “mission is to create an atmosphere of support for the team that encourages the rest of the public to get involved from the first minute of every game.”