During a recent Milan City Council meeting, Mayor Giuseppe Sala addressed the ongoing discussions surrounding the future of the iconic San Siro stadium. As the council deliberated on various topics, the fate of San Siro took center stage, especially following the expressions of interest from both Inter and AC Milan regarding the stadium and its surrounding areas.
Mayor Sala emphasized the importance of San Siro to both clubs and the city, stating, “You cannot think of Inter and Milan without San Siro. I expect an offer by 2025.” His remarks came amid a backdrop of tensions, as some citizens in attendance responded to his statements with boos, leading to their removal by law enforcement.
The mayor acknowledged that the future of San Siro has become a highly divisive issue over the years, often marked by political opportunism. “I have always been aware that in my role as mayor, I would have to carry this burden,” he said. He noted that the topic is driven more by emotional factors than rational ones, complicating discussions about the stadium’s future.
Sala expressed hope that citizens are not interested in ideological conflicts but rather seek a pragmatic solution that ensures both Inter and Milan continue to play at San Siro. “The history of Milanese football is tied to this place,” he remarked. He stressed the need to focus on achieving the best possible outcome based on current realities, which include both clubs’ interest in purchasing the stadium and its surrounding area for a new development project.
He also pointed out that while there have been efforts to convince the clubs to renovate the existing stadium, there has been little concrete interest from them in pursuing that option. “If the teams do not want to renovate, we cannot force them,” he explained. The mayor highlighted that maintaining San Siro is crucial from an urban planning perspective, as it is more sensible to keep it in an already developed area rather than build new stadiums in greenfield locations.
As discussions progress, Sala noted that both clubs have indicated their desire to purchase the stadium and surrounding land rather than simply seeking surface rights. The valuation for this purchase has been set at 197 million euros. He mentioned ongoing talks with cultural authorities regarding potential restrictions related to heritage protection for the stadium, which could impact future developments.
In closing, Sala reiterated his hope for a shared solution that balances public interests with those of the clubs. “I expect these documents soon because we have faced a complex path,” he said. He underscored that any proposal should benefit not only the clubs but also contribute positively to the city of Milan and its residents.
