The local authorities met with Inter and Milan representatives today to discuss restructuring San Siro, but a big problem has already emerged, as the clubs ‘want to own the stadium.’
This matter has been dragging on for the best part of a decade now, with both teams preparing new projects for self-built arenas outside the city walls, in San Donato Milanese and Rozzano.
The prospect of staying at San Siro was floated with a proposal from WeBuild, who have now offered to work pro bono to draw up a schedule they maintain can restructure the existing Stadio Giuseppe Meazza without needing to tear it down or force the teams to play elsewhere.
Mayor of Milan Beppe Sala met with representatives of the two clubs today – specifically Milan President Paolo Scaroni and Inter director Alessandro Antonello – and a statement was released from the local council.
It confirms that the clubs want to be covered in case they are forced to lose revenue from having the stadium closed during work.
Above all, it adds that “in a form that has to be defined, the stadium must become the property of the clubs.”
The Mayor also acknowledged that the clubs will continue to explore alternative options, but hoping that they can all come together for San Siro.
There are very few clubs in Italy who own their stadiums, but it is not unheard of, for example Juventus, Frosinone, Atalanta, Sassuolo and soon Bologna.
The bigger the local council, the more problematic it has been for clubs to get the go-ahead, but it is certainly easier if the stadium already exists.
Forget it, it’s time to look to the future and catch up with the big clubs in Europe who own their own stadium. Italian bureaucracy has held back Serie A for too long.
I agree 100% with ForzaIbter77, it’s time to move forward.