Inter and AC Milan have every right to knock down San Siro and build another ground in its place, according to Gianfelice Facchetti.
Both clubs are being frustrated in their plans to create a new stadium by delays from Milan’s city council, although mayor Giuseppe Sala insists it is Inter who are responsible for the current impasse.
A report from Gazzetta dello Sport earlier suggested Sala was reluctant to take a public stance until after the upcoming elections, which are postponed until October.
Speaking to the Milan-based paper while promoting his new book about San Siro, Gianfelice (son of Inter legend Giacinto) admitted on Wednesday: “It’s not easy to take a position on this issue.
“Instinctively I’d say you mustn’t touch San Siro because Giacinto began his career there, after getting a call from Giuseppe Meazza.
“But it’s important to give a voice to everyone in this debate, from the clubs who have clear needs to those who live in the area and have a right to know what’s going to be built there.
“I’ve spoken in the book about the doubts of those who have to make the decision like the council; it’s not easy to make the decision.
“I think it’s important to have a debate about it, something which hasn’t happened up until now.”
Gianfelice also revealed a backstory behind San Siro and its alternative name since 1980, the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
“There were people who resisted the idea of the stadium being called the Meazza, especially AC Milan fans,” he explained.
“Their former president Piero Pirelli wanted to call it the Meazza but Meazza was an icon at Inter, so some people turned their nose up at the idea.”
Inter and AC Milan have been working on plans to build a new San Siro for more than two years now but progress is proving hard to come by.
The Nerazzurri could be Serie A champions by the next time they play at home (against Sampdoria on May 8), if they beat Crotone on Saturday and Atalanta fail to win at Sassuolo the following day.
