Serie A side AS Roma "suffered a setback" in its bid to build a new stadium after the Rome City Council "refused to grant planning permission," according to Ben Gladwell of ESPN.com. The Giallorossi unveiled plans for a new 52,500-seat stadium almost two years ago, "yet bureaucratic red tape has repeatedly delayed the start of work on its construction." Roma President James Pallotta said late last year that "he was hopeful the council would grant planning permission so that work could commence in March, but it is instead going to be a case of back to the drawing board." The city council "determined that there were too many issues with the plans that needed to be looked at before planning permission could be granted" (ESPN.com, 2/3). The AP reported Roma has been told to "make amendments to its long-delayed plans." To give Roma a chance to change its plans, Rome's City Hall "delayed a local authorities planning meeting to March 3." City Hall said, "Reservations have been expressed about the levels of safety on the vehicular and pedestrian roads in the knowledge that there are 30 days to act." It added that "if Roma could meet a list of requirements, the result could be positive." As well as the safety of surrounding roads, Roma "will have to ensure there is sufficient infrastructure such as roundabouts, intersections, ramps, and more parking spaces." It also "has to provide documentation that is missing" (AP, 2/2).
