'Revolutionary' stadium laws

By Football Italia staff

Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Angelino Alfano announced a “revolutionary” new law to transform stadiums.

Clubs in Serie A and B have complained for many years that the current laws make it very difficult for them to construct their own stadiums, as the vast majority must rent from the local council.

“Tomorrow the Government will present an amendment to the stability law that regards sporting structures,” announced Alfano at a Lega Serie A meeting.

“It will be a revolutionary presentation with three main principles: the first is the possibility to build sporting venues even using private capital, the second regards a cut through the bureaucracy that slows down operations, while the third regards the possibility of opening new structures and commercial activities inside these venues.”

Italian clubs generally do not gain much revenue on match day, as they do not own the stadium and therefore cannot rent out property for bars, restaurants or shops. It also means the stadiums are closed for the rest of the week.

Alfano also noted the Government stood by the Presidents of Serie A “to confirm the hard line against violent and criminal factions. In the last few months and years we worked to ensure delinquents are not authorised to enter the stadiums. We must continue along this path.

“The use of stewards in stadiums was an experiment that worked, but also manifested its limitations. There will also be moves to limit the phenomenon of counterfeit merchandise to give back to the clubs the legal revenue that is being taken from them.”

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