Naples' New Stadium in Bagnoli: Manfredi and De Laurentiis Discuss Plans and Challenges

When De Laurentiis spoke about Bagnoli, it was the moment when I was already speaking with Minister Fitto to define the further steps on the remediation of Bagnoli. We are proceeding with speed. These were the words of Gaetano Manfredi, the mayor of Naples has returned to speak about the Stadium issue in Bagnoli: For the construction of a stadium there, we need a space where today the urban park is planned. The sports park is another thing. The remediation of the urban park should start in the coming weeks, the project includes an intervention that ranges from 3 to 5 years. These are the times for the remediation and the renovation of roads and electrical lines, he explained. The lands are owned by Invitalia and De Laurentiis should buy them. I spoke with De Laurentiis, then I agreed with Fitto that we would have another meeting. There is a role for the Municipality, but there is also a role for the Government, we will welcome De Laurentiis to learn about his project. In thirty months, as De Laurentiis says, it is impossible to build a new stadium, he explained. The choice of building a stadium is conditioned by the viability and accessibility. A stadium of 50,000 spectators determines a large movement of people in a short time. We predict accessibility on Bagnoli, the extension of Line 6 and a new road with an underpass to access Bagnoli, but these infrastructures will be built over the years. And he adds: A modification of the urban plan must be made because the realization of the stadium determines a construction of volumes that are buildable and should be moved to another area. The city of sports? We are discussing with the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation to create a federal center in Bagnoli, where there is the sports park. I have always said that the priority of the administration is that there is a great stadium in Naples, that it is as modern as possible and that it allows Naples to participate in certain events like Euro 2032. The priority remains to renovate the Maradona. On the case of Juan Jesus-Acerbi that has characterized the last hours: I must believe the words of Juan Jesus, I don't think he said a falsehood. If Acerbi used such racist terms they are unacceptable and I must say that Spalletti did well to send him home. Whoever wears the national team jersey represents the values of our country that does not accept any form of racism.