Sawt Falasteen - San Siro loses 2027 Champions League final due to uncertain future

European football's governing body said that the San Siro had lost the showpiece fixture as the city of Milan could not guarantee that the ground and the surrounding area "would not be affected by refurbishment works".

"It was decided not to assign the final to Milan and to re-open the bidding process to appoint a suitable venue, with a decision expected in May/June 2025," added UEFA.

Earlier this month AC Milan and Inter Milan, who both play their home matches at the San Siro, rejected a project to modernise and restructure the iconic stadium, which is owned by the city of Milan.

Mayor of Milan Giuseppe Sala said both clubs would be ready to relaunch their initial project of a new stadium in the immediate vicinity of San Siro, which had been abandoned last year after political and bureaucratic wrangles.

Earlier this year AC Milan bought land in the suburb of San Donato Milanese, to the south-east of the city, as part of a plan to move outside the official boundaries of the city of Milan in the hope they would more easily gain building approval.

Reigning Serie A champions Inter have their sights set on the towns of Rozzano and Assago, just south of Milan, after sounding out the possibility of building on former industrial land in populous northern suburb Sesto San Giovanni.

In 2026, San Siro will host the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.

I.Matar--SF-PST