Inter Milan and AC Milan are rekindling their ambitions to assemble a brand new stadium on the long-lasting San Siro web site, however the Serie A powerhouses nonetheless have a substantial journey forward earlier than getting into the fashionable enviornment they’ve lengthy envisioned.
A “positive” assembly held on Tuesday between the 2 golf equipment, Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala, and Italy’s tradition and sports activities ministers has reignited the challenge, which was shelved in 2023 after navigating three years of bureaucratic and political hurdles.
Originally estimated at 1.3 billion euros ($1.4 billion), the revamped proposal will now entail a partial demolition of the present city-owned San Siro, making approach for inexperienced areas and a wide range of sports activities and leisure amenities.
Meanwhile, a brand new stadium, which within the earlier challenge was deliberate to have a capability of 60,000, could be constructed within the space instantly west of the present floor, which is occupied by parking and a neighborhood park.
However, this time round, the golf equipment must conform to buy the land, which, in line with the most recent studies, is ready to be valued at round 200 million euros.
That sale would take time, assuming it’s permitted by the Milan metropolis council, and given the sturdy native opposition to the challenge final time, there is no such thing as a assure of a vote within the golf equipment’ favor.
Left in darkish
Sources throughout the council instructed Agence France-Presse (AFP) that any vote could be on a knife’s edge, as councilors throughout the political spectrum have been angered by what they see as a bypassing of native democracy whereas Sala tries to keep away from being the mayor who let two of the world’s largest soccer golf equipment go away town.
Earlier this yr, AC Milan acquired land within the close by city of San Donato Milanese for 40 million euros and has nonetheless not formally deserted the thought of constructing there, whereas Inter has checked out Rozzano and Assago, additionally to the south of town.
One supply instructed AFP that the Milan metropolis council has been left at midnight about each the revised San Siro challenge and a proposal, rejected as too pricey by the 2 golf equipment, to modernize the present stadium.
They stated a vote in opposition to the sale may convey down Sala’s native authorities and probably hand Italy’s financial capital to the right-wing coalition that leads the nation.
If the golf equipment transfer elsewhere, it wouldn’t simply be politically pricey; it might additionally go away town with an enormous, unused stadium on its outskirts, which might not generate 7 million euros in annual lease and must be both repurposed or demolished.
If the stadium – as a consequence of host the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony – continues to be in public arms by the top of subsequent yr, a constructing safety order stopping the demolition of its second tier will routinely come into impact.
If Milan and Inter buy the land earlier than that deadline, it might cease the restriction from being activated routinely, however Sala has stated a whole demolition is “very unlikely, and the clubs know that.”
Supporters’ issues
Fans even have issues, significantly relating to the drastically lowered capability in comparison with the present stadium, which usually holds greater than 70,000 spectators.
Not solely did the beforehand proposed stadium have about 15,000 fewer seats for the 2 best-supported groups in Italy, every of which has 40,000 season ticket holders, but it surely was additionally deliberate to incorporate a minimal of 9,000 company hospitality locations, growing to 13,500 for some occasions.
“We have always believed from our experience that any stadium would need to have a capacity of at least 70,000,” stated Giuseppe Munafo, president of the main Milan supporters’ affiliation AIMC.
“Our position is that we would like any new stadium to maintain the same number of seats that aren’t for what we would call the elite – those places that are sold for 1,000 euros.”
The AIMC is affiliated with Milan and brings collectively tens of 1000’s of followers.
Both the AIMC and the hardcore ultras supporters have staged protests at latest Milan matches over a startling enhance in costs for general-sale tickets.
Source: www.dailysabah.com