Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis has threatened to “start building a new stadium in Caserta” unless he can buy the San Paolo.
Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis has threatened to “start building a new stadium in Caserta” unless he can buy the San Paolo.
In Italy only Juventus own their stadium, while Udinese’s Stadio Friuli is in the process of reconstruction in a similar deal, but the others are all rented from the local council on match days.
De Laurentiis has for many months been in negotiations with the Naples council to revamp the historic Stadio San Paolo.
“Mayor De Magistris said he was going to sell me the San Paolo, but I hope he does so for a symbolic sum,” the President told Radio Kiss Kiss.
“The decisive meeting will be on Tuesday. If I do not receive a reply, then I will go to Caserta and start building a new stadium there in January.
“I invested my money in Napoli, so with my money I want to do things properly. If I am to stay in Naples, I no longer want these Italian-style situations. Los Angeles is ready and waiting for me,” added the film producer.
“I can stay in LA, you can sort your own football out in Naples and be happy. If I am to stay, seeing as I am a serious and rational person, then I want things to be done in a serious and rational manner. I won’t listen to anything else.
“I am given the San Paolo on match days, but I doubt the Naples council will be able to give me answers by Tuesday, considering the biblical slowness with which they do things here.”
De Laurentiis also commented on the on-going problems with Roma-Napoli, a Serie A fixture that coincides with a huge protest in the city on October 19. The Corriere dello Sport today claims the calendar could be switched, making this Napoli-Roma and the return leg in the Capital.
“I have no problem with switching venues with Roma. Roma are in great shape and can play anywhere. If public safety means a change is necessary, then it is logical and opportune to play in Naples rather than change the date.
“Considering Roma have to play the Coppa Italia in January and our fixture list is packed, this is the best solution.”