Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has backtracked and categorically rejected the idea of building a new stadium in Bagnoli, expressing serious concerns about the feasibility of the project. “I asked myself a series of questions – De Laurentiis declared – and I thought: why would I go to such a problematic area? I would enter a context of chaos with bulldozers and trucks, and then risk having to evict 50.000 people from the stadium if bradyseism arrives”.
The Azzurri president then expressed his intention to focus on the renovation of the Maradona stadium, reiterating the need to speed up the process. “I have made my peace with it – explained De Laurentiis – and I want us to leave quickly because we have to leave Castel Volturno.
I called my architects and said that I want to spend two years renovating the Maradona and I also gave them input while I was coming here to Naples by train.”
De Laurentiis then harshly criticized the municipal administration for its alleged inefficiency in the management of the Maradona and in its relations with the club. “I will obviously focus on Maradona to transform – stated the president of Napoli – but I've had a huge effort with the Municipality of Naples. Now the work needs to be done, I'll put in my own money, but they have to sign a blank sheet of authorizations for me, because if someone comes to stop us while we're doing the work I'll get up, go away and they won't see me in this city anymore".
Finally, De Laurentiis spoke about the club's future plans, announcing the intention to build a new technical headquarters by September. “I expect to lay the first stones for the new headquarters of Napoli - he has declared - we need a place where young people go with peace of mind."
Article published on May 16, 2024 - 20:10 pm
