Bartomeu wants a new referendum on Espai Barça development
After seeing the costs of the development rise, the president feels the plans should be revised yet again
Josep Maria Bartomeu has proposed to the Comisión Delegada del Barça (an organisation formed by the president, the two vice presidents, CEO Oscar Grau and Maria Teixidor) for there to be another referendum regarding the plans for Espai Barça. The proposal was made in December, backed by vice president Jordi Cardoner, despite the official word being that the plans would go ahead as scheduled. Yet that proposal hasn't officially been presented to the board yet.
Bartomeu's reasoning behind a referendum is two-fold: firstly, so the conditions of the loan agreement can be altered. And secondly, because the costs have significantly increased since the initial agreement; rising from €600m to over €800m.
On the face of things, it appears the referendum itself has plenty of support amongst board members. Yet nothing will be decided until the next board meeting.
