Inter’s plans to build a new stadium could be postponed due to the negotiations taking place over the potential sale of the club, according to an Italian media report today.
As per La Repubblica’s print edition, Suning’s possible departure from Inter could delay the construction of a new San Siro ground with city mayor Giuseppe Sala waiting to see who the new owner of the club is before giving the OK to proceed with the project.
The Milan City Council are yet to comment on whether Inter and AC Milan’s project is in the ‘public interest’ and are unlikely to do so before the spring elections, but anyone who buys Inter will want reassurances that they can proceed with the stadium.
The report goes on to explain that Suning’s potential sale of Inter comes following a u-turn from the Chinese government on investment in football.
In 2013, president Xi Jinping gave the green light to an investment plan to transform Chinese football, but two years ago the Chinese government put a stop to investing into European clubs.
Xi Jinping has now also imposed a series of tougher restrictions which have curbed the autonomy of entrepreneurs such as China’s richest man, Jack Ma.
Football is regarded as superfluous to the Chinese government and Suning boss Zhang Jindong has no option but to tow the party line.
