July 11 – AC and Inter Milan moved plans for a new stadium forward on Wednesday by disclosing a plan to invest more than €1.2 billion in the project.
The clubs envisage a new, state-of-the-art 60,000 stadium adjacent to the San Siro stadium. The current ground is owned by the city. The stadium was opened in 1926, with AC Milan taking up residence straight away. In 1947 Inter Milan also took residence and ever since the clubs have shared the ground. Situated in Milan’s west it rises like a colossal spaceship from the ground, but despite some of its impressive features the stadium has long been in need of refurbishment.
The initiative received a muted response in Italy. Interior Minister Matteo Salvini from the far-right Lega Nord party said he had an issue with the demolishing of the San Siro. “I’m asking for a copy of the project,” said Salvini. “Every initiative is welcome, especially if it helps us to better manage security, but as a sports fan, an Italian, a Milan local and a ‘Milanista’ I cannot think of the demolition of the glorious San Siro stadium.”
The Milan clubs want a new stadium to generate great revenue and control their own ground. Juventus moved into their new Allianz Stadium in 2011 as part of a drive to modernise operations at the club, a move that has revolutionised the club’s commercial operations. Other Italian clubs have also been contemplating plans to build new stadiums.
In the past Milan mayor Beppe Sala indicated that he would be in favour of a redevelopment for San Siro rather than a brand-new ground, cautioning against the huge price tag that a new stadium would inevitably carry.
“Building a new stadium will be a very expensive undertaking, but I don’t want to influence anything,” said Sala in June. “I’m waiting to see the proposal from Inter and Milan. Hopefully it’ll arrive before the holidays. In my opinion, San Siro is a wonderful facility.”
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1734912154labto1734912154ofdlr1734912154owedi1734912154sni@o1734912154fni1734912154