The mayor of Naples has responded to criticism from Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis.
The Partenopei patron was furious after Luigi De Magistris weren’t “serious” over plans to renovate Stadio San Paolo.
“It would be ideal to work together with SSC Napoli,” De Magistris responded in a video on the Comune di Napoli’s YouTube page.
The mayor of Naples has responded to criticism from Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis.
The Partenopei patron was furious after Luigi De Magistris weren’t “serious” over plans to renovate Stadio San Paolo.
“It would be ideal to work together with SSC Napoli,” De Magistris responded in a video on the Comune di Napoli’s YouTube page.
“There could be a major investment as there has been in other parts of Italy. We’re ready to create the conditions for a major investment. But if it doesn't happen I’m against putting patches on patches.
“I’m interested in results. Technical meetings are getting good results, but I’m worried that we’re coming to the end of the lease.
“I want to know if other people have our intentions by the end of 2015, I’m worried it’s gone on too long and I’m preparing an alternative personal plan.
“The project was presented [by De Laurentiis], but it has to be built on economic sustainability, and the proposals which were presented didn't make me feel comfortable.
“I didn’t seen an appropriate proposal to support the renovation, we have to defend the stadium and the city. Our duty is to protect public property.
“€20m? If you want to renovate adequately, it’s enough to look at other places to see how much it costs, with a figure like that you won’t get much. €20m to achieve ownership of a stadium like San Paolo? It seems to me you can’t own it [for that].
“This isn’t about making an ultimatum, but they have to decide, I certainly won’t allow them to postpone this game until after the election.
“We have a commitment to the city, and we have to put the conditions in place for the President to invest seriously.
“The President knows what I mean, to renovate the stadium, the iron roof would have to be dismantled, some parts of the stands would have to be re-done – it’s a big job.
“The decision to remain at San Paolo was De Laurentiis’, there was the possibility of building a new stadium, but he dismissed it immediately.
“If at this point, with public pressure and the desire for the stadium, we gave into Napoli’s demands, public institutions, sports creditors and others would come after us.
“There was talk of a €150m investment, maybe that’s too much, but for for a few tens of millions…
“You can’t give a stadium away forever for €20m, it’s something that wouldn’t happen in heaven, never mind on earth!”