Fiorentina owner Rocco Commisso admits he is “disappointed” with the lack of progress over a new stadium and warns he will consider “outside” options.
A new stadium is high on Commisso’s list of priorities for Fiorentina, but the Viola seem to be having similar trouble to Roma with authorities over planning permission.
Fiorentina owner Rocco Commisso admits he is “disappointed” with the lack of progress over a new stadium and warns he will consider “outside” options.
A new stadium is high on Commisso’s list of priorities for Fiorentina, but the Viola seem to be having similar trouble to Roma with authorities over planning permission.
“Initially, we wanted to do things ‘fast fast fast’ with the area of Campo di Marte [a historical area, where the current stadium is],” he said at a press conference, the club’s English Twitter account reports.
“I have a good relationship with the Mayor, and nothing has changed – we still have a good relationship. We spoke about Mercafir [area], but it is not ideal for us economically.
“The problem Italy has is bureaucracy, and it is impossible to make things happen ‘fast fast fast’.
“The top 20 teams in Europe in terms of revenue are way ahead of Fiorentina. How can we spend what we must spend if there’s this difference in revenue? I am here to make Fiorentina successful.
“The first option is to build a new stadium – comfortable, modern. So that our fans can be treated like the top 20 teams in Europe. The money is there, we need to invest it, and bureaucracy needs to help us.
“We need revenue to be higher in order for the team to improve. We need to increase revenue on match day and for that we need appropriate infrastructure.
“I have three requests: ‘fast fast fast’, control and right costs. I don’t want to stay here 10 years to build a stadium, and it has to be economically feasible.
“It is different in America, but if Italy wants to look ahead into the future, politics must help. Italian football is a treasure, like food or fashion – we cannot be the fifth League in Europe.
“The Mayor has been exceptional with us. But I need options, within the Municipality of Florence, but also outside.
“I hope the Municipality can re-evaluate the situation – there are many ways to find a solution. The current cost of the Mercafir area is perhaps too much, but we can mitigate this with solutions on other costs.
“Until now we have worked with the Mayor of Florence. From now on we will work to evaluate other options.
“I am disappointed. I’ve been reading about making a new stadium in Florence for a decade, and I thought they’d be further ahead. Now I am understanding that we need time to make things happen here.
“The Fiorentina fans are important here in Florence, so I thought the Municipality would be ready to make a new stadium.
“To be competitive we must increase revenue. Fast fast fast.”
The Italo-American tycoon only bought the club last summer but has already been forced into a managerial change, replacing Vincenzo Montella with Beppe Iachini.
“As owner of Fiorentina, I have to multitask. I have to look at things every day.
“I want to thank Montella. Now Iachini needs some time. The team showed more determination.
“We were a bit unlucky against Bologna, but we were lucky against Inter. It’s football.
“I said we want to invest in the future, I don’t just want players for six months. We have to think about the future, about next season, when I want a team that will do better.”
Will some of that investment come this month?
“We’re working to improve the team. Hopefully, as soon as possible we can make some announcement.”