Inter CEO Alessandro Antonello believes the delays to the start construction of a new stadium in Milan are a problem.

Speaking to Italian radio broadcaster Radio 24, as reported by NerazzaurriSiamoNoi.it, Antonello gave an update on the process of seeking final approval to build the new stadium, and also spoke on other important matters at the club.

Inter and AC Milan have been trying to move forward with their proposed new stadium, which they see as essential to keep up with the top end of European football by modernizing their infrastructure and increasing revenue.

Things had been moving along well after the clubs received approval from the City Council following municipal elections last October, and the clubs have also settled on the architectural design for the prospective new stadium.

However, the timeline that the clubs have set to overcome the bureaucratic hurdles continue to mount, with a public debate now on the horizon which promises to delay the when construction can begin.

“We started on the stadium project with a lot of enthusiasm,” Antonello said.

“Unfortunately, we’re aware that the Italian system doesn’t help us, especially with regard to sporting infrastructure.”

The Nerazzurri CEO continued that “Bureaucracy doesn’t help and the time needed for this has gone beyond what’s necessary.”

Antonello stated that “I don’t want to get involved in the politics of Milan, I’m a business man, let’s not get caught up in a labyrinth of politics.”

“We want to follow the rules,” he said, “but this should be accompanied by keeping to the timeline.

“We’re here after a thousand days waiting for the approval of the project, the timeline has been extended.”

About the possibility of building in an area outside of the city of Milan, he said that “As always in these cases, we have to have multiple options.”

“We’re investors who look concretely at other options as well,” he added.

“The main thing is to have a new stadium in the shortest possible time.

“It’s not our first option, but we’re studying and evaluating it.”

Of the club’s financial plans in the market, he said that “The issue of economic sustainability is crucial. The world has changed and priorities are different.”

“This priority must be balanced with remaining competitive on the pitch,” he went on. “These two elements must both be taken into consideration.”

“Then the financial decisions must be managed in conjunction with the sports area,” Antontello continued. “The real issue is that at the European level there is talk of ‘financial sustainability.'”

“The new rules are coming into place to guide the European football period out of the difficult period following the pandemic,” the executive continued.

He gave the view that”For the sake of development over the coming years, then, clubs must be given the opportunity to invest while always respecting sustainability.”

“The gap naturally exists because you have the Premier League which has higher television rights than all other leagues,” he analyzed. “Having said that, we in Italy must make up for this gap at the international level.”

“The Super League project was sounding the alarm,” he said. “Today we are anchored to a system which makes it difficult to grow and invest.”

“The constraints in Italy don’t help,” he added. “Clubs must do their part in trying to optimize resources, but I repeat, economic sustainability is fundamental.”

Regarding Inter’s summer transfer plans, he explained, “What can fans expect? I want to reassure them. Despite the financial targets achieved last summer, competitiveness remained at the highest level.”

“We believe that the financial sustainability of the club is essential and fundamental,” he stressed. “We must expect that this will be our focus in the transfer window, but also that we are aiming to compete at the highest levels both in Italy and abroad.”

“It will be difficult but we’re working with Marotta in this direction,” he added, “and we’re convinced that we will be able to strike the right balance.”

Lastly, Antonello gave his thoughts on the Serie A title race with AC Milan, stating that “It’s significant to see the two Milan teams having returned to compete for the title.”

“It’s obvious that in sport you go out on the pitch to win, and this battle is certainly one which will go down to the last few matches,” he concluded.