The future of animation in Barça-Manchester City women's match is up in the air

The relationship between FC Barcelona and the groups that make up the Grada d'Animació is going through one of its most tense moments. The controversy arising from the payment of 21,000 euros in imposed sanctions last season has led these groups to refrain from attending the Estadi Olímpic de Montjuïc since the match against Brest.

The conflict, far from being resolved, could directly impact the atmosphere on December 18, when Manchester City visits Barça on matchday 6 of the Women's Champions League. The club has stated that the women's team matches are not covered by the collaboration agreement with the Grada d'Animació, leaving their presence at this match in doubt.

However, the precedent set last season, when these same groups supported the matches against Chelsea and Real Madrid at the same venue, opens up a possibility. Currently, the groups, such as the Almogàvers, are holding internal discussions and talks with the club, seeking a solution that would allow them to support the women's team on such an important night.

Barça, for its part, insists that without the pending payment, there will be no formal return of the Grada. The coming weeks will be decisive in determining whether the animation returns to fill the stands of Montjuïc with blaugrana colors for this match.