Italy co-hosting the 2032 UEFA European Championships has brought about array of discussions surrounding the state of the nation’s football facilities. FIGC President Gabriele Gravina has admitted to Italy lagging behind in state-of-the-art stadiums, but is hopeful for the future, especially after the recent inauguration of Fiorentina’s Viola Park.
Gravina shared his thoughts on the recent developments in Italy.
“We are behind on the stadium issue, very behind. The European Championship 2032 is an opportunity to be seized after 42 years of Italy in the 90s and we must raise everyone’s awareness. We must understand that the construction of infrastructures in Italy cannot be achieved through donations of non-repayable money from the Italian Government,” before continuing: “The Federation is available to everyone to ensure that there is less bureaucracy. A few days ago I had the pleasure of inaugurating Viola Park and I must say that it is wonderful, there is no better sports center. Florence, Bologna , Cagliari, there is excitement in Rome: something on the stadium front, something is moving.” (via TuttoBolognaweb)
Hosting the Euros all by Italy seemed unfeasible, so an agreement was struck with Turkey to jointly hold the tournament. Five stadiums in each country is touted to do the job.
“Five or six, it will depend on the sporting calendar but we cannot think of using Euro 2032 only for five stadiums. Everyone will have to take action to build stadiums that are up to par. The organization with Turkey was started in unsuspecting times and there was the risk of Italy not being admitted: we had to prepare a project with guarantees on the stadiums that we didn’t have.”
Most recently, Minister of Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi echoed Gravina’s comments.
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