While the Friedkin family may be under scrutiny at Everton these days, it is nothing but praise over at Roma.
Alongside finally delivering Champions League football and backing Gian Piero Gasperini in the summer transfer window, there’s no been developments off the pitch as well.
This week saw a proposed new stadium for Roma take a major step forward as Roma were given the ‘green light’ to build their new stadium at Pietralata.
The idea and plan was formally approved by the Conferenza dei Servizi, who signed off the technical and economic feasibility project on Monday afternoon. It’s a major moment for the Friedkins, who have long wanted to move Roma into a new, modern stadium.
Indeed, the issue has gained precedence given Everton’s move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium under their stewardship. Of course, that was handed to them by the previous ownership but there had likely been envious glances from Rome.
Over a billion
Now the idea has been approved. As a result, there is confidence the new Roma stadium will be built in the coming years. The big step forward has led to widespread happiness, including from mayor Roberto Gualtieri. In fact, he was keen to praise the Friedkins in particular.
“I thank Roma and the Friedkin family for their investment of over €1bn and for the professionalism with which the entire planning process was handled,” he said.
“I also thank the Lazio Region, the Government’s Special Commissioner Massimo Sessa, and all the institutions that worked together to achieve this historic result. The new stadium that Roma has been waiting for since the days of Dino Viola is now within reach.”
Friedkins now in charge
Tuesday’s print edition of Corriere della Sera now reports that the ball is in Roma’s court on the next steps. The administrative process has now been concluded, and the club must submit the final detailed design.
Optimistic estimates point to Christmas, but the likelihood is that it will be in the early months of 2027. The goal is to lay the foundation stone next spring says Gualtieri.
“Now we will launch the tender process. Construction can begin in early 2027, and the work is projected to take two and a half years. We are therefore on track to see the stadium completed by the end of 2029,” he added.
Either way, there is happiness with the Everton owners, who have seemingly worked hard to expedite the process.
“There is great satisfaction,” said Andrea Abodi, the Minister for Sport and Youth.
“A process that usually takes 270 days was completed in 90. We are sending a strong, clear, and unequivocal signal regarding what we can achieve when the necessary tools are made available. In three days, we will present the final list of stadiums for Euro 2032 to UEFA.”
