📰 Court declares Real Madrid’s Bernabéu parking project illegal

Madrid, October 20, 2025 — Spain’s top court, the Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Madrid (TSJM), has declared Real Madrid’s highly publicized Bernabéu parking project illegal. The ruling delivers a major blow to the club’s long-term revenue ambitions.

According to the agreement between Real Madrid and the Madrid City Council, a four-story underground parking complex was planned next to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. The project included 1,500 parking spaces, of which 500 were to be reserved for public use. The City Council was responsible for the entire construction cost, estimated at around €70 million.

The controversy arose when it was revealed that the club’s subsidiary, Real Madrid Estadio, had secured the 40-year management rights for just €6 million, while the projected revenue from the parking operation over that period was around €561 million. Moreover, Real Madrid Estadio was the only bidder in the tender process.

A local neighborhood association filed a lawsuit claiming that the deal was against public interest. The court ruled that the project was “not for public benefit but for private gain,” declared the agreement void, and ordered both Real Madrid and the Madrid City Council to pay the legal costs.

Club president Florentino Pérez, one of the project’s key planners, was not personally charged. Since the case was administrative in nature and not criminal, he was not required to appear in court.

As a result of the ruling, Real Madrid has lost a crucial component of its Bernabéu redevelopment plan, putting future revenue prospects at risk. Local civic groups have hailed the court’s decision as “a victory for public interest.”

Comments

Hansi Flick on Barcelona’s Playing Philosophy: “We are Barcelona, and we don’t want to change our style”

B arcelona head coach Hansi Flick has dismissed any notion of changing the club’s trademark playing style despite recent challenges. “No, we don’t want to change the style. We are Barcelona and we don’t want to play this way,” Flick stated firmly. He emphasized that Barça’s football identity revolves around activity and intensity both on and off the ball. “Our playing style is based on activity and intensity, whether without the ball or with it. In some moments, we miss that. But this has nothing to do with the philosophy itself,” he explained. Flick also suggested that once the full squad is available, the true measure of the team’s level will be clearer: “When everyone returns, then things can be measured better.” Barcelona continue to hold firm to their footballing DNA under Flick’s leadership.

FC Barcelona Draws Nearly 12,000 Fans for Open Training at Spotify Camp Nou

F C Barcelona has confirmed the sale of nearly 12,000 tickets for the upcoming open training session this Friday at Spotify Camp Nou , a figure that surpasses the 7,500 tickets sold during the exclusive period for club members . Tickets, priced at €10 each for the general public, will contribute to charitable causes , aligning with Barça’s ongoing commitment to social responsibility. The session will also act as an important test event for the stadium ahead of its long-awaited reopening , marking a key milestone in the redevelopment of the iconic Camp Nou. 📍 Source: @sport

Barcelona’s Financial Comeback: Glory Returns Amid Lingering Debt Concerns

B arcelona has re-emerged as a European powerhouse. After reclaiming the La Liga title and reaching the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in six years, the club’s on-field revival seems undeniable. However, behind the success lies a complex financial reality. Following years of excessive spending and mounting debt, Barcelona continues to navigate a fragile economic landscape. The club relied heavily on its now-famous “financial levers” — strategic asset sales and future revenue commitments — to stay afloat. In 2017, Neymar’s record-breaking €222 million transfer to PSG initially appeared to secure Barcelona’s financial future. Yet subsequent signings of Coutinho, Dembélé, and Griezmann, coupled with Lionel Messi’s enormous contract, plunged the club deeper into crisis. The pandemic worsened the situation, with revenues collapsing and losses soaring to an unprecedented €555 million in 2020-21. President Joan Laporta’s administration responded with aggressive financial meas...

Blue & Garnet

Search This Blog