Serie A President Delivers Brutal San Siro Verdict Amid Ongoing Saga: “Inadequate & Can’t Be Refurnished” | OneFootball

Serie A president Ezio Simonelli has delivered a damning verdict on AC Milan and Inter’s stadium San Siro amid the clubs’ bid to purchase the venue.

Speaking to La Repubblica via FCInterNews, Simonelli assessed the current state of one of Europe’s most iconic football arenas.

Milan and Inter are determined to purchase the property.

Furthermore, the clubs plan to demolish the outdated San Siro and design a new next-generation stadium.

However, negotiations between the Serie A giants and the city authorities have progressed slowly.

Despite submitting an official bid months ago, the clubs are still waiting for a response.

Yet, their wait will soon come to an end, with the Milan City Council expected to reach the final verdict by Monday.

Meanwhile, Simonelli has backed Milan and Inter’s efforts, admitting it would be in everyone’s best interest to reach an agreement.

With San Siro no longer able to host major international events, demolition is the only solution.

Ezio Simonelli Delivers Damning San Siro Verdict

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 23: General view outside the stadium prior to the coppa Italia Semi Final match between FC Internazionale and AC Milan at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza San Siro on April 23, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“It’s painful to say, but by now it’s an inadequate stadium,” Simonelli claimed. “The proof is that UEFA rejected it as the venue for the 2027 Champions League final.

“The stadium cannot be renovated. It wasn’t possible even when the owner of one of the two clubs was in government.

“And how can you safely overhaul a venue that hosts 70,000 people every three days?”

Then, the Serie A chief slammed the city over its stubborn stance. He also highlighted the magnitude of the project.

“Scrapping this process over petty ideological reasons is an own goal,” Simonelli added. “It would be a loss for the city.

“If they don’t get San Siro, the two clubs will end up building stadiums outside the municipality of Milan.

“But the damage would affect the whole country. The temporary economic impact of constructing the new facilities alone is worth €6 billion.”

Finally, he named several massive shortcomings.

“The stands, TV studios, and spaces for clubs to generate revenue,” Simonelli continued. “The hospitality area cannot be integrated.

“Luckily, our fans aren’t heavy beer drinkers – there are even problems with going to the restroom. We all have memories and nostalgia.

“But the only way to preserve the history of a stadium is to build a new one in the same area.

“Take Wembley: it was demolished and rebuilt, yet nobody says ‘I went to the new Wembley.’

“It’s still the stadium of legend. It will always be San Siro.