Inter and AC Milan’s plans for the San Siro area have been approved, with the Italian giants set to invest £1billion to build a new stadium and develop the land
The San Siro as football fans know it will soon be no more(Image: Getty Images)
An iconic football World Cup stadium that has hosted Wales could soon be demolished.
Inter and AC Milan have received the green light for their acquisition of the San Siro area in a landmark decision that could spell the end for the legendary stadium as fans know it. Wales played at the ground during European Championship qualifying in 2003, losing 4-0 as Italy gained revenge for Mark Hughes’ side’s famous 2-1 win in Cardiff the previous year.
The Serie A powerhouses are planning to pump £1billion into constructing a new ground alongside a comprehensive redevelopment of the surrounding district. Mayor Beppe Sala took the momentous decision to sell the land to both clubs, with Milan City Council subsequently giving their backing.
The £167m transaction was rubberstamped earlier this week, with the proposal securing 24 votes in support against 20 opposed.
The clubs said in a joint statement: “AC Milan and FC Internazionale Milano express their satisfaction with the City Council’s approval of the sale of San Siro and the surrounding area: a historic and decisive step for the future of the clubs and the city.
“While awaiting the official announcement of the outcome of the council debate, the clubs look with confidence and responsibility to the next steps in the process that will lead them to build a new stadium that meets the highest international standards: a world-class facility destined to become a new architectural icon for Milan and a symbol of the passion of football fans around the world.”
The Wales team that took on Italy at the San Siro in 2003(Image: Mark Thompson, Getty Images)
The target is to have a new stadium completed by 2031, ready for the European Championship the following year, which Italy will jointly host with Turkey. The project will encompass the stadium itself, along with a museum, retail outlets, hotels and training pitches.
This means that the San Siro will undergo significant changes. Approximately 91 per cent of the stadium is set to be demolished – the first and third tier stands and part of the second tier will be removed, with the remaining sections preserved by creating a park and pedestrian walkways.
AC Milan and Inter are working together on the new-look San Siro(Image: Getty Images)
Architectural firms Foster & Partners and Manica have been assigned to spearhead the redevelopment, with the former overseeing urban planning and the latter handling the stadium’s construction. It’s anticipated that the area will generate over 16,000 jobs by 2035, contributing £2.7bn in economic growth and £1.2bn in GDP.
The sale of the area must be completed before November 10. At that juncture, the San Siro’s second tier will gain historical significance as it turns 70, making it more challenging to demolish.
Craig Bellamy is closed down by Gianluca Zambrotta during Wales’ 4-0 defeat at the San Siro in 2003(Image: PAOLO COCCO, AFP via Getty Images)
Italian media reports suggest concerns that the land could potentially be sold for profit in the future, given that both Inter and AC Milan are owned by US investment funds. The clubs have previously threatened to construct stadiums outside the city if their proposal was rejected.
The San Siro is one of the most iconic stadiums in world football. Constructed in 1925 and revamped for the 1990 World Cup, it remains Italy’s largest stadium with a capacity of around 80,000. Its significance endures, with plans for it to host the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics before it is torn down.