A new controversy has erupted in Barcelona around the Narcís Sala stadium after Unió Esportiva Sant Andreu secured promotion to the Primera Federación. The victory over Reus FC Reddis earned the club a long-awaited return to the third division after 18 years, but at the same time reignited the issue of the stadium meeting the league’s strict requirements.
League requirements and the club’s position
According to the regulations of the Spanish Football Federation, to participate in Primera RFEF matches, the field must have natural grass and the stadium must seat at least 3,000 spectators. While Narcís Sala easily meets the seating requirement, the pitch remains a stumbling block: the surface is currently artificial turf. Sant Andreu’s management and the municipality have been discussing possible solutions for several weeks, but the club’s president, Manuel Camino, is adamant — the team does not intend to leave its stadium.
The experience of neighbors and infrastructure challenges
The situation recalls last year’s difficulties faced by C.E. Europa, which after promotion also failed to secure an exemption from the rules and was forced to host home games at Can Dragó. For Sant Andreu, the case is somewhat simpler: there is no parking under the stadium, unlike at Nou Sardenya, and in the past, Narcís Sala did have a natural grass surface. The club has also announced an investment of 100,000 euros in infrastructure upgrades, including lighting and locker room renovations, which should ease a potential transition to natural grass.
Possible compromises and risks for supporters
The Barcelona municipality does not rule out the option of two clubs sharing the stadium, citing the experience of European teams, but no final decision has been made yet. If Sant Andreu relocates to Can Dragó, a new issue arises: the arena’s capacity is limited to 3,000 seats, while the club already has 5,300 members, meaning many could be left unable to attend matches. City officials emphasize that they are seeking a balance between league requirements and residents’ interests, and urge for a review of turf regulations considering environmental and economic factors.
Impact on youth and women’s teams
Switching to natural turf may complicate training for the club’s youth and women’s squads, who currently use an artificial pitch. The authorities and Sant Andreu continue to look for options that do not compromise the interests of all teams. As El Pais notes, discussions are ongoing, and the final decision depends on the federation’s approval and the city’s resources.
Infrastructure issues and compliance with league requirements are becoming increasingly relevant for Spanish clubs. Similar conflicts have already occurred in other regions: for example, there was a recent discussion about a stadium change following Alianza Lima’s major victory, which was covered in detail in the report on the change of leader in the Torneo Apertura.
