Milan Mayor Beppe Sala has responded to UEFA’s decision to withdraw the city’s bid to host the 2027 Champions League final, citing the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the San Siro stadium’s future. The decision highlights the complex situation involving the iconic venue and its tenants, Inter and AC Milan.
Sala explained his position, stating, “I personally communicated with UEFA. How could I guarantee there would be no construction work at San Siro when they asked for such assurance?” This admission underscores the delicate balance between the city’s aspirations to host major events and the ongoing discussions about the stadium’s renovation or potential replacement.
The mayor emphasized the pragmatic nature of the decision, noting that it was impossible to provide the guarantees UEFA required without compromising the ongoing negotiations with Inter and AC Milan regarding their future at San Siro.
Addressing the two clubs directly, Sala reminded them of their current lease agreement: “The rental contract with Inter and Milan for San Siro expires in June 2030. If they don’t want to stay, they can’t assume we’ll renew it for them.” This statement puts pressure on both clubs to finalize their plans, whether for renovating San Siro or building new stadiums elsewhere.
Sala also touched on the potential scenarios if Inter and Milan decide to build their stadiums in San Donato and Rozzano, respectively. He cautioned, “They should be certain to have them ready by that date because we can’t be left holding the bag. We would need to look into selling San Siro to major concert promoters.” This comment highlights the city’s determination to ensure the venue remains a valuable asset for the community, regardless of the clubs’ decisions.
The mayor concluded on a positive note, stating that if the clubs choose to renovate San Siro, “we would all be happy.” This remark leaves the door open for collaboration while also preparing for alternative uses of the stadium should the clubs decide to leave.
