Aurelio De Laurentiis launched a livid assault on the state of Napoli’s residence stadium, describing the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona as “a sh*thole” throughout his speech on the Soccer Enterprise Discussion board organised by SDA Bocconi in Milan.
The Napoli president pulled no punches as he mentioned the pressing want for infrastructural reform in Italian soccer, evaluating his membership’s outdated venue with fashionable European arenas.
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“The Maradona is a sh*thole,” De Laurentiis mentioned, .
“I mentioned the identical factor when Ancelotti arrived. PSG pay the identical hire for his or her stadium as we do, however they’ve full exclusivity and make €100 million a 12 months, whereas we solely have entry for 3 days: earlier than, throughout and after the match. It’s an outdated stadium, with an athletics monitor and even a moat that pushes followers additional away.”
NAPLES, ITALY – MAY 26: Aurelio De Laurentiis, President of SSC Napoli, celebrates the victory of Serie A TIM through the SSC Napoli Trophy Parade on Could 26, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Picture by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Photographs)
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De Laurentiis blamed Italian forms for holding again progress:
“Authorities listed here are soccer’s largest enemies. They don’t realise there are 25 million potential voters who care about this sport.”
Napoli president De Laurentiis lashes out at authorities
He held up the Emirates Stadium for example of success, noting how Arsenal have been allowed to construct housing close by to offset building prices.
“We’d like extra flexibility,” he continued. “Let golf equipment construct or convert stadiums with built-in housing initiatives. These revenues can maintain long-term funding.”
additionally criticised native officers for “losing cash” on previous renovations and mentioned he would personally finance a contemporary 70,000-seat area with “100 skyboxes and actual parking areas.”
Aurelio De Laurentiis unveiling new Napoli supervisor Antonio Conte
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“Followers wish to drive to the stadium. We’d like 30 hectares for an actual fashionable venue,” he added, blasting Mayor Manfredi and Councillor Cosenza for “understanding nothing about soccer.”
Lastly, De Laurentiis attacked what he referred to as the “lack of management” in Italian soccer and warned UEFA and FIFA to cease diminishing home leagues.
“If we’re left with solely Inter, Milan, Juve, Napoli and Roma, why construct new stadiums? We’d simply find yourself enjoying a European Tremendous League by one other identify.”