Reports: September becomes crucial month in stadium plans – Sala says his ‘hands are clean’

In recent days, Milan has been hit by a judicial investigation into urban planning that has threatened to delay the new stadium plans again.

As MilanPress relays, The Prosecutor’s Office has thwarted a “corruption pact” that involved Giuseppe Marinoni and architect Federico Pella gaining control of the future of the stadium and surrounding areas. To catch up on all the recent stadium news, check out our Substack bonus article.

The Democratic Party had therefore asked Giuseppe Sala to slow down on that front, but the mayor of the Lombardy capital had threatened to resign. Last night, an agreement was reached, as reported by Corriere della Sera.

Thanks to a compromise between the Democrats and Sala, who opted for a postponement until September, would guarantee a transfer with associated financing and a deed of sale before the restriction on the second tier comes into force (November 10). It also gives the Democratic Party the time it requires in light of the judicial investigations.

However, as reported in La Gazzetta dello Sport, some doubts and risks remain. The first is the green light from the City Council: the majority is currently hanging by a thread, and a no vote would obviously derail the project. If approved, there would then be numerous appeals, which could slow down the process.

Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

Sala comments

Sala  gave a speech at Palazzo Marino today and declared that he does not intend to resign, and that he wants to continue with the process for the sale of the stadium to Milan and Inter, but postponing the whole thing until September.

“My father told me ‘do what you want, but remember that I will be watching you and I want to be sure that you are doing your duty to the end’,” he said.

“Today I am more certain than ever that I will continue to do my duty and remain in office. Everything I have done has been based on the interests of the citizens. None of my actions have been to my personal advantage. My hands are clean.”

On the sale of San Siro: “We need to restart the stadium process in September to meet the deadline.” The goal is to reach a deal before November 10th, when the second tier restrictions will kick in, and Milan and Inter will be able to return to alternative plans like the San Donato project.