He CE Europe, Centennial Club of the Gràcia neighborhood and one of the founding clubs of the League, lives a crossroads that threatens to break the ties between its history, its people and its stadium. EC Europe is a peculiar club. It is one of the only teams in the category that belongs to the partners. They have 3000. They have absolutely any external investor or majority partner. Just promoted to the first federation both in the male and female category, He faces a regulation that could force him to leave his home, the Nou Sardenya.
In the informative meeting that has been given to the partner, the Board of Directors has been clear From the first minute. “Us We do not want to go from the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona because it is to kill the club“. He New Sardinianof municipal property but with guaranteed use to Europe for one hundred years, Does not meet the category requirements: Natural lawn. In the case of Nou Serdenya it is “impossible” to perform the work since there is a parking lot under the field.
Players of the lower categories of CE Europe
“The City Council has already said that it does not want or can put natural grass,” they say. “Putting a natural grass field here would kill us base football.” More than a thousand boys and girls train weekly in the field. Changing to natural grass would not only imply an exorbitant environmental and economic investment, but also stop the formative sports activity of the little neighborhood.
No sight solutions
The alternatives are scarce. From the club they ensure that there are only two solutions. “O Change the rules or move as a stadium”. The City Council at the moment does not give any solution although they are working hand in hand to try to solve the situation.
“We do not want to go from the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona because it is to kill the club
In current regulations, Just ascended clubs can play until January 15 on artificial grass. Before the registration, on July 17, the club has to ask for that extension and then look for life to register a second natural grass installation. From there, “there are all the possibilities, what we are buying are a series of months,” said the Board.
Only the town saves the town
Without heritage to endorse or patron behind, CE Europe, faithful to its partner club structure, has opted for the town's path: and crowdfunding Under the motto “We are the resistance”. “Let's go out with a crowdfunding for popular football “they announce. And the Federation is not that it does not help the Modesto club, it hits him. “The Federation does not take care of neighborhood football. Do not take care of close football, “they lament in the Board of Directors.
Mercè Nadal, Jaume, and Carles Balagué. Member of the CE Europe.
In the meeting a reflection loaded with claim has been released. The 1 RFEF clubs are those that decide and vote for rules that from CE Europe consider unfair. “We have won on the pitch play in this categorybut now some that are inside do not allow us to play. We leave you at the 20 children in the courtyard who decide who plays and who does not ”it was said with forcefulness at the meeting of partners.
On January 15, the horizon marks. Until then, EC Europe will seek resources, convince institutions and agitated consciences. Because your fight goes beyond the grass. It goes for the identity of a neighborhood and the future of football that does not come on televisionbut fill fields on Sunday mornings.
