Serie A side AS Roma expects to be given approval from the Conferenza dei Servizi for its new stadium, with Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) President Giovannin Malago saying that a no would be "a bombshell." The Conferenza dei Servizi is responsible for granting permits for public works, ensuring they are in the public interest and do not "negatively affect the populace." The club had to resubmit plans for the new Stadio della Roma. The new plans included "improved transport links and lower buildings," and a decision was expected Tuesday (FOOTBALL ITALIA, 12/5).
England Rugby head coach Eddie Jones on Tuesday toured the Sapporo Dome, where his team will kick off its Rugby World Cup 2019 campaign. The venue, which hosts baseball's Nippon Ham Fighters on an artificial surface and J.League side Consadole Sapporo on a grass pitch, will be the stage for England's game against Tonga on Sept. 22, 2019. Jones said, "Subarashii," using the Japanese word for excellent. The dome's grass pitch is "stored outside when not in use and is moved into the stadium using the same technology used for hovercraft" (KYODO, 12/5).
