Inter president Giuseppe Marotta gave a long interview to DAZN, also discussing the new San Siro. Here are his words.
Marotta’s Statements on San Siro
“Finally, we managed to open a path, to create a way that will take us far. It will be full of twists and turns, it’s not easy to act in Italy, where bureaucracy is very obstructive. We have started this new era with enthusiasm, we will have a new home. Acquiring San Siro was very difficult, but thanks to the tenacity of Ralph and Scaroni, we reached the closing. It will be a very modern facility, designed above all to meet the needs of safety, comfort, hospitality, and all the associated values.”
“From a design standpoint, I don’t want to go too deep because we are still in the discussion phase. There will be an official presentation with the features that will define it. The project has been entrusted to Foster and Manica, two icons of sports architecture, who will interpret the guidelines of the two owners. I can only say that the pitch will not be retractable like the one at the Bernabeu, but modern technology allows it to be changed in a single day.”
“From a political standpoint, there has not been a position aimed at developing this part of national sport. Today, thanks to the presence of a Ministry of Sport and a Minister like Abodi, there is willingness, and the proof is the appointment of a special commissioner for stadiums. People are beginning to understand how facilities can impact not only the social sphere but also the economy of individual clubs and sports in general.”
“The difficulties arise from the fact that some facilities should be considered of clear national interest and therefore, alongside the Ministry of Sport, there should be the Ministry of Infrastructure. When we talk about San Siro and an investment of around 1.6 billion euros, it is clear that it is significant for the country’s economy. This could help overcome certain obstacles created by slow procedures that often face opposition locally. There was a period of stagnation in Italy that led us to fall behind in stadium infrastructure.”
Marotta added:
“In Europe, 250 stadiums have been built or renovated in the last 20 years, only six of which are in Italy. We have not considered the essential heart of every club, which must be the home of the fans, the club, and the players. It also represents a significant asset that increases revenue. We are at the bottom: we earn 80 million euros, Milan the same… Real Madrid and Barcelona reach between 250 and 300 million, with the Blancos aiming to exceed 500 million. We aim to more than double the revenues from matchday and all the activities carried out during the week."
