In a dramatic turn of events, AC Milan and Inter Milan have rejected a plan to renovate their iconic San Siro stadium. Instead, the city rivals have revived proposals to build a new joint stadium in the same area, according to Milan’s mayor, Giuseppe Sala. This decision marks the latest chapter in a long-running saga involving the two Serie A clubs and local authorities that has spanned the past five years.
Sala revealed the clubs’ decision after a private meeting with club representatives. He explained that after a thorough analysis, both teams concluded that renovating the San Siro was financially unfeasible. “They don’t think it is feasible,” Sala told reporters, adding that the clubs have presented a new plan to build a modern stadium within the San Siro area.
Inter and Milan view a new stadium as a strategic move to boost their revenues, which currently lag behind their European counterparts. The idea of restructuring the century-old San Siro and keeping it as the home ground for both teams had received support from Sala earlier this year. However, the teams initially expressed a preference for building separate new stadiums on the outskirts of the city.
Previously, the clubs had engaged in discussions with the city to construct a new joint stadium to replace the old San Siro. However, this plan faced significant obstacles due to political resistance and heritage regulations protecting the stadium, which boasts a capacity of nearly 80,000 spectators. It’s important to note that both Milan and Serie A champions Inter are currently controlled by US-based investment firms – RedBird for Milan and Oaktree for Inter, who acquired the club from the Chinese firm Suning in May.
The clubs’ new proposal involves purchasing the land surrounding the old stadium from the city of Milan to build their modern facility. The old San Siro would then become their property and be repurposed. Before moving forward, the clubs have requested an assessment of the economic value of the existing stadium and surrounding areas, clarification regarding heritage protection for the venue, and a timeline for a potential deal. “This a long story and I am sorry about that, but it’s not easy to build a stadium in Italy,” Sala acknowledged.
This development comes after the teams’ initial attempts to build separate new stadiums on the outskirts of the city. However, this new proposal marks a significant shift in their approach, demonstrating their commitment to a shared future within the heart of Milan. The outcome of this latest proposal remains to be seen, but it signifies the clubs’ ambition to create a world-class stadium that will serve as a symbol of their long-standing rivalry and shared history.
