Fiorentina fear President Rocco Commisso could be tempted to walk away after announcing ‘the Stadio Franchi is now a closed chapter.’
He had hoped to revamp the existing Stadio Artemio Franchi, or potentially be allowed to build a new arena elsewhere in Tuscany, but has been blocked at every turn by red tape.
The club released a strong statement after the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities ruled that the Stadio Franchi was a building of historic interest and could not be torn down or significantly restructured.
Fiorentina fear President Rocco Commisso could be tempted to walk away after announcing ‘the Stadio Franchi is now a closed chapter.’
He had hoped to revamp the existing Stadio Artemio Franchi, or potentially be allowed to build a new arena elsewhere in Tuscany, but has been blocked at every turn by red tape.
The club released a strong statement after the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities ruled that the Stadio Franchi was a building of historic interest and could not be torn down or significantly restructured.
“ACF Fiorentina would like to thank all the parties who showed an interest in the possibility of building of a new stadium for the city of Florence and Fiorentina fans on the same site where the team has always played,” read the statement from Commisso.
“With the new Stadium Law, I thought the government might take a direction that is more helpful for the future of Italian football and the Italian economy in general, especially with the severe crisis the country is currently experiencing.
“Sadly, there seems to be more interest in preserving a dilapidated 90-year-old reinforced-concrete structure than giving fans the opportunity to enjoy sports events at an avant-garde stadium with modern-day facilities and comforts, which is something Florence deserves.
“I hope that Italian bureaucracy and all the parties such as Archistar and the various foundations and committees who were so keen to impress on MiBACT the need to save the Franchi will be just as keen to raise the funds needed for the Municipality to renovate the stadium.
“The Franchi must not be allowed to fall into disuse and disrepair in the heart of the beautiful city of Florence.
“The Stadio Franchi is now a closed chapter for Fiorentina.”