Italian political party 5-Star Movement President Beppe Grillo said Monday that "the anti-establishment group's Rome administration would poll residents before greenlighting a new stadium for AS Roma." Grillo: "If we do it, it will be done with innovative criteria and in a shared way. First, we will hear the population which are concerned by the project and with them we'll be able to build an extraordinary thing." Grillo was speaking on his way into a meeting with Rome Mayor Virginia Raggi after Rome's heritage superintendency over the weekend said that "a horseracing course at the planned construction site could not be demolished because of its historic architectural value." AS Roma GM Mauro Baldissoni said Sunday night that the club would "press on with a plan to build a new stadium in southern Rome." Grillo is expected to "press Raggi to renew support for the project" (ANSA, 2/20).
Scottish Premiership side Heart of Midlothian confirmed that work will begin on resurfacing its Tynecastle Stadium pitch this week. The surface has been "heavily criticised in recent weeks after it began to cut up badly" (BBC, 2/20).
Belgian First Division A side RSC Anderlecht announced that "the club will not move to the Eurostadium," dealing "another blow" to the construction of the Euro 2020 venue. Anderlecht, Belgium's "most decorated club," had intended to move from its current Constant Vanden Stock Stadium to the new stadium in the '20-21 season. But "after due consideration, the club has decided to not pursue that route." In a statement, the club said, "Anderlecht has serious reservations and has decided that it is not in the interest of the club to participate in the project. Ghelamco (the developer) has been informed" (INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL, 2/20).