Barbara Berlusconi commented on the San Siro renovation project as follows, as relayed by Milan News:
"The proposal to redevelop San Siro is another way of doing nothing. The project seems vague and implausible to me. Based on the thorough studies we had done, it costs less to build a new one. The estimated 300 million euros? A figure too low and not credible: Real Madrid will spend much more than a billion to renovate the Bernabeu, with costs almost doubling compared to the forecasts."
The former AC Milan CEO continued:
"I am happy to have opened the debate. These years, in fact, have not passed entirely in vain: more and more people have become aware of the absolute necessity of building a new structure and improving the quality of football. Football in Italy is an economic sector capable of involving 12 different product sectors in its value activation chain, with an indirect and induced impact on the Italian GDP of 10.2 billion euros and over 112,000 jobs. Years have been wasted thinking more about political interests than the needs of a sport and an industry, football, which is one of the most important in the country. Blaming everything on the municipal administration seems reductive and partly instrumental. The issue concerns the country's system and its unwillingness to decide, to improve the structures. Bureaucracy and inadequate laws hinder the modernization of football", she told ANSA.
Still on San Siro, Barbara Berlusconi said:
"It's not functional: it's decadent, uncomfortable, and lacks services. Those who frequent the second and third tiers know it well. Tight, uncomfortable seats, endless ramps. Adequate services, bars, and toilets are lacking. Some sections of the third tier are even unusable. Milan and Inter in two different stadiums? It's inevitable, coexistence is not very functional, a big city like Milan can have more stadiums."
Would Milan do well to go to San Donato? This is Barbara Berlusconi's thought:
"I have always been in favour of a stadium in the city. But after years of sterile discussions, it is right to look for other paths. Citizen protests against facilities in residential areas only happen in Italy. Abroad, they are happy if a stadium is built nearby, knowing that the area will be redeveloped, with more services, more security, and the value of their homes will increase. The same protests occurred when Porta Nuova and City Life were being built: then they became the showcase of the new Milan and iconic places appreciated all over the world."
To reporters asking for a response, Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala replied:
"But what does Barbara Berlusconi know?"
Barbara Berlusconi then responded to the media by saying these words:
It's regrettable that Mayor Sala reacts to what actually not I, but almost all industry insiders think. Regarding my expertise, I note that for 3 years I worked on stadium issues with the world's largest design, construction, and renovation companies for the most important stadiums worldwide. Furthermore, the last and most important renovation of San Siro was personally followed by me with Inter delegates, for the 2016 Champions League final."
This is stated by Barbara Berlusconi:
"I esteem the mayor for the many things he commits to daily, but I allow myself to say that too much time has been lost on the stadium issue. Too much time has been lost since 2019 when the clubs expressed their desires. I have read the renovation project, and I confirm that I consider it unfeasible."
