Menu
Download the app

SBJ subscribers – Enhance your experience with the revamped iOS app

Franchises

Barcelona President Defends Requiring Children Seven Or Younger To Have Tickets

Barcelona President Sandro Rosell "has claimed that it was a real wrench to make the decision to bar children under seven from coming to matches at the Camp Nou without a ticket," according to MARCA. This policy "will come into force" starting with the "Clásico" against Real Madrid on Oct. 26, amid "reports that 'up to 40,000 children without a ticket' were set to attend the match," owing to the early kickoff time of 6pm. Rosell: "No one is more against the decision I've made from a popular standpoint, but it was one that had to be made, it is my responsibility. I'd rather wake up to headlines reading 'Rosell won't let kids in' than ones saying 'Rosell was responsible for a kid's death.'" Rosell said that "this decision has not been taken lightly." Rosell said, "The security experts warned us that instead of 10,000 kids, some 40,000 could turn up for a Barça-Real Madrid game. That would give us an attendance of 140,000 people. It's not a question of respecting the law, but [we're worried that] anything could happen in the third tier of the stadium" (MARCA, 10/16). EL MUNDO reported Spanish state of Catalonia government official Ramón Espadaler said, "From our perspective there was no problem. It is a correct decision because it deals with over-capacity. We are studying what to do, but in high-risk games, there will not be exceptions" (EL MUNDO, 10/16).

FORMER VP CRITICAL: In Barcelona, Toni Quintana reported former Barcelona VP Alfons Godall "was very critical of Rosell's decision." Godall sided with "the families that, starting now, will possibly not be able to go with their children to see their favorite idols." Godall: "It is a shame because many Barcelona families will be affected. It is a life-long tradition that has always allowed children younger than seven free entry. What surprises me is that this happens with the Clásico in sight. I share the disappointment and sadness that many families and children are feeling" (SPORT, 10/16).

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 25, 2024

NFL meeting preview; MLB's opening week ad effort and remembering Peter Angelos.

Big Get Jay Wright, March Madness is upon us and ESPN locks up CFP

On this week’s pod, our Big Get is CBS Sports college basketball analyst Jay Wright. The NCAA Championship-winning coach shares his insight with SBJ’s Austin Karp on key hoops issues and why being well dressed is an important part of his success. Also on the show, Poynter Institute senior writer Tom Jones shares who he has up and who is down in sports media. Later, SBJ’s Ben Portnoy talks the latest on ESPN’s CFP extension and who CBS, TNT Sports and ESPN need to make deep runs in the men’s and women's NCAA basketball tournaments.

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Global/Issues/2013/10/17/Franchises/Barcelona.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Global/Issues/2013/10/17/Franchises/Barcelona.aspx

CLOSE