FC Andorra Faces Stadium Dilemma as Nàstic Offers Alternative
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Loading... - Amara Zara
- 12 Mar 2025
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The future of FC Andorra's home ground is in jeopardy as the club prepares to vacate the Estadi Nacional this summer to accommodate the return of rugby. Gerard Piqué, the club's owner, has expressed his reluctance to leave their current stadium, despite the challenges that lie ahead.
The Andorran government has proposed that FC Andorra relocate to a new stadium being constructed by the Andorran Football Federation (FAF) in Encamp, which is set to open in June. This facility will feature natural grass, a crucial requirement for competing in the Primera RFEF or Segunda Division, where the club is slated to play next season. However, Piqué has firmly rejected this proposal, stating, "We will not go to Encamp." He has indicated that he has received offers to relocate the club, primarily from Catalonia.
As the conflict with the government continues, no specific proposal has been presented to FC Andorra while the government explores various scenarios. In the meantime, a potential option has emerged for the club to hold its home games at a stadium located 200 kilometers away. The president of Nàstic de Tarragona has once again offered their stadium to Piqué’s team.
This offer is not new; in 2022, Nàstic had already allowed FC Andorra to consider their stadium as a contingency plan should issues arise with the Estadi Nacional. Lluís Fàbregas, president of the Tarragona club, explained that this arrangement was made in accordance with LaLiga regulations, which required Andorra to have an alternative venue upon their promotion. He emphasized the strong relationship between the two clubs and the prior discussions about how LaLiga operates.
Fàbregas reiterated Nàstic's commitment to assist FC Andorra, stating, “Absolutely, we would follow the same protocol. The stadium is municipal, and we have a 50-year concession that we signed last year. If an exceptional case arises, we would communicate with the municipality, and if approved, we would draft a contract outlining the terms. FC Andorra could play here, potentially on alternate weekends, sharing maintenance responsibilities.”
However, this scenario appears somewhat distant and unlikely at this stage. If FC Andorra fails to reach an agreement with the government, it seems plausible that they may consider relocating their operations to a different location in Spain. Piqué has noted, “We haven’t considered that option yet because we want to reach an agreement, but the license belongs to the club, and if necessary, we will seek a solution.”
As the situation unfolds, the future of FC Andorra's home ground remains uncertain, with various options on the table and ongoing discussions with both the government and potential alternative venues.
