AC Milan President Silvio Berlusconi has "called an end to his club's plans to build a new stadium in the city, saying he is too in love with the San Siro to leave," according to Ben Gladwell of ESPN. The club was awarded the right to build a new stadium on the "former trade fair site in Portello, just a stone's throw away" from its new headquarters, earlier this summer after a "lengthy tender process." Berlusconi's daughter, Barbara, had led the project and secured financial backing from one of the club's main sponsors, Emirates. The plan was for a "new arena holding up to 48,000 spectators," to be built in time for the '18-19 season. However, a "disagreement over the condition in which the area of land would be handed over" has led to Milan shelving its plans to redevelop the area. Berlusconi: "I'm in love with the San Siro and now it's about to get even more beautiful." Bee Taechaubol, whose purchase of 48% of the club is "set to go through" on Oct. 1, had also expressed his preference to remain at the San Siro rather than move elsewhere (ESPN, 9/21).
