AC Milan president, Paolo Scaroni, has spoken once again about the need to build a new stadium for the Rossoneri and their rivals, the Nerazzurri.
Speaking to Tutti convocati on Radio 24, he said the following:
"I expected us to be faster in this project, 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."
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 Milan does not have an avant-garde stadium as happens in other European cities. I understand the nostalgia, but Milan must be an avant-garde city."
Did you set a deadline for youtself?
"What I think was missing is that this project has remained the project of Milan and Inter and not of the Municipality 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 Milan is because we achieve the project with the shortest completion 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."
On the transfer market and the fact that some players are leaving on a Bosman...
"Football has changed, because economic sustainability is a necessity for everyone. If the player makes unsustainable demands, we are also willing to lose him at zero."
What is the current situation with 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", declared Paolo Scaroni.
Milan are at the top of the league table and are also managing the books well...
"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 he will be for a long time to come."
Paolo Scaroni on the Scudetto race:
"When they ask me this question, I answer as a man of business: I have top 4 as target for our budget. So everything above top 4 will be absolutely wonderful."
