Italian businessman and chairman of Milan Paolo Scaroni, in an interview on channel Rete4, has given his thoughts on what he expects in the 2021/22 season.
Speaking on Quarta Repubblica (via MilanNews), a program on the Italian channel, Scaroni addressed current problems – including Milan’s plans for a new stadium and stadium restrictions that have barred capacities to just 50%.
Milan’s plans for a new stadium has been put on hold for quite some time amid talks of a modern state-of-the-art complex at the current location where the San Siro exists.
Speaking of which, he said: “We Milan certainly need a new stadium at San Siro, but all Italian football needs modern stadiums. When the stadium is modern, employment grows by 50%, that is, the spectators grow by 50% because in a modern, well-equipped stadium, whole families go, half a day and not just the time of the match.”
The executive took example of Liverpool’s Anfield and pointed differences in income from stadium revenue alone.
“Liverpool, with whom we played a game last week – they collect 100 million a year from the stadium. We collect 35. How can we hope to have results with such a deficit,” he commented.
Regarding stadium capacity restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, Scaroni fumed at the fact that foreign leagues have it at 100% capacity whereas Italy has been forced to cut short.
He said: “I want the stadiums to be filled 100% or at least 75% because for us it is a major economic damage. I am confident that the government accepts our cry of pain and accepts the idea of having full stadiums. In England they are 100% full, in Austria they are 100% full, in France they are 100%, so we have examples that we need to follow.
Milan are currently undefeated in Serie A, with their only loss of the season arriving in the opening Champions League group match against Liverpool – a narrow 3-2 defeat.