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Commisso discusses Fiorentina’s stadium plans

Fiorentina chairman Rocco Commisso has said the Italian Serie A football club needs help from politicians and local institutions “to do what’s right for the city” when it comes to the team’s stadium plans.

Fiorentina currently plays at the Stadio Artemio Franchi and after Commisso, an American-Italian businessman, assumed ownership of the club in June, efforts to either redevelop the stadium or build a new one intensified.

Last month, the Noi Per Firenze association proposed a €100m (£90.7m/$110.7m) redevelopment of the Stadio Artemio Franchi that would incorporate the wider Campo di Marte area. Mayor of Florence Dario Nardella had previously appointed UEFA vice-president Michele Uva as a special advisor amid ongoing efforts to resolve Fiorentina’s stadium situation.

Commisso met with Nardella yesterday (Wednesday) but would not be drawn on whether the club would prefer to build a new stadium or redevelop the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

“The Stadio Franchi could be restructured or a new arena built, we have options, so we need to consider them, see the timing and what we’d be allowed to do,” he said, according to Football Italia. “Unfortunately, that is the situation we have to deal with.

“The intention is to leave something beautiful and long-lasting in Florence. It’s a beautiful city, but a lot of work is needed to build a stadium here.

“The Mayor was excellent in helping us with this project and the architects are working to give us options. When you see it, you’ll be stunned, but now we need help from politicians and institutions to let us do what’s right for the city.”

Fiorentina had revealed plans for a new 40,000-seat stadium back in March 2017 but talks over the project stalled. The Stadio Artemio Franchi opened in 1932 and has a capacity of 43,000.

Image: KevArchie