28 Feb 2017
AS Roma strikes deal with mayor to build new stadium
BY Matthew Campelli
Serie A football club AS Roma has moved a step closer to achieving its own stadium after striking a deal with city officials.
The Italian team has been trying to develop the 52,000-capacity Stadio Della Roma for a number of years, but has faced several delays.
The delays were compounded when the anti-establishment Virginia Raggi of the 5-Star Movement became the city’s mayor last year and began pushing for design changes, with a focus on reducing the size of the proposed surrounding business park and making it more environmentally sustainable.
AS Roma has agreed to the suggestions, and will press ahead to become the next Italian top-flight club to own its own stadium and capitalise on the financial rewards.
Rival Juventus built its environmentally-friendly 41,000-seat J Stadium in 2011, and the club has dominated the league ever since winning the last five championships.
Raggi said she was “always in favour of making the stadium happen”, but stressed the need to pair down the “monster project inherited from the previous administration”.
“A new stadium will be built, but one that is modern, environmentally-friendly, technologically advanced and, above all, one that respects the environment and territory,” she added.
Meis Architects are designing the stadium, which has been inspired by the Roman Colosseum.
AS Roma currently share the Stadio Olimpico with city rival Lazio.
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