The mayor of Empoli Brenda Barnini has issued a public statement indicating that the city would struggle to cope with hosting two Serie A clubs whilst Fiorentina undergo major renovations to the Sadio Artemio Franchi.
La Viola will temporarily leave their home ground for two years midway through 2024, with the aim of returning to an updated and modern-looking stadium in 2026.
The search is currently underway to find an adequate stadium that is importantly willing to host the Tuscan side until they are able to return to the Artemio Franchi in three seasons’ time.
However, after comments from the mayor of Empoli, a ground share at the Stadio Carlo Castellani is looking unlikely due to the expected strain on the city’s infrastructure.
The city is also yet to receive any sort of formal approach from La Viola in regards to a temporary move to the region of Empoli.
Barnini’s statement read: “No request has arrived either from the Municipality of Florence nor by ACF Fiorentina, regarding the use of the Castellani stadium by the viola club.
“In the event that a request is received, we will evaluate it together with Empoli Calcio, taking into account the needs of our city.
“With the infrastructural adjustments we are making right on the Serravalle district, particularly the construction of the new connecting road between the Statale 67 and the Empoli east junction of the FiPiLi, it could hardly bear the load imposed by two Serie A teams.”
Barnini also pointed out that the Castellani does not have enough seats to host Fiorentina, especially given that their average home attendance over the 2022-23 season so far is over 32,000 per game.
“The Castellani has a capacity of 16,000 seats compared to a double number of Viola fans permanently present at the stadium,” Barnini added.
Sassuolo‘s Mapei Stadium remains the most likely option for Fiorentina at the moment, with Modena, Parma, La Spezia, Ferrara and Perugia lined up as back-up options.