AC Milan president Paolo Scaroni has once again spoken out about the new stadium project and specifically about the delays that the two Milanese clubs are having to endure.
There has been somewhat of a war of words going on in the media over the past few days and weeks because there has not been the desired progress towards the agreement on all fronts to construct a new state of the art stadium.
Scaroni spoke to Tutti convocati on Radio 24 on what marks 1000 days since the two clubs officially launched the project, with his words relayed by MilanNews.
“I expected us to be faster, especially being in Milan. The stadium project is for everyone, fans and not. I expected faster times, unfortunately we know that in Italy the bureaucracy does not often make things easier,” he said.
Do Milan and Inter continue to have the same vision?
“Milan and Inter have the same vision because they have the same ambitions, first and foremost to have a leading role in European football. The stadium is a fundamental ingredient, if not the most important, to be successful.
“It is incredible that a city like Milano does not have an avant-garde stadium as happens in other European cities. I understand the nostalgic, but Milano must be an avant-garde city.”
Have you given yourself a deadline?
“What I think was missing is that this project has remained the project of Milan and Inter and not of the Council of Milan. There is still something only for the two clubs and instead it is not so, it is a project for Milan.
“One of the reasons for which we look outside Milano is because we will marry the project with the shortest realisation times, we urgently need to have a new stadium. I want to remember that San Siro is iconic because Milan and Inter have played there.
“If the stadium is famous in the world it is thanks to the two clubs. If the two teams go to play somewhere else, that place will become famous thanks to Milan and Inter.”
Is the market changing? There so many top players who are leaving on a free transfer…
“The world has changed, because economic sustainability is a necessity for everyone. If the player makes unsustainable demands, we are also willing to lose him for free.
What is the current situation of the stadium?
“I have been informed about the public debate. The times can be shortened for the public debate and I hope it can happen in Milan as well. We will proceed to give all the elements for the public debate to the Municipality.
“I want to remind you that the clubs with which Milan and Inter play in Europe they have stadium revenues that are three times our own. We cannot think of competing against those who have too much higher income than ours. When you have a new stadium, the number of spectators increases by 50%. For us, the economic sustainability of the club is essential.”
Milan are at the top and are also managing to keep the accounts in order…
“I have to congratulate Gazidis and Maldini who are achieving great sporting results while still managing to keep the accounts in place. Pioli has been great in these two years and it will be for a long time to come.”
Who will win the Scudetto?
“When they ask me this question, I answer as a man of the club: we have put in fourth place in the budget, so everything that comes more will be absolutely wonderful.”
