MILAN (AP) - Italian clubs need to become owners of their stadiums if they are to compete financially with Spanish and English teams in Europe, according to AC Milan vice president Adriano Galliani.

Most Italian clubs rent their home stadiums from local city councils, leaving the likes of Galliani to look on in envy as English and Spanish clubs use the financial muscle that comes with owning their grounds to outbid Italian teams in the transfer market.

"Thierry Henry was a player Leonardo spoke to, but Henry said he would be paid 50 per cent less at Milan than at Barcelona," Galliani told reporters on Monday as he presented new Milan coach Leonardo. "So there was no way we could compete."

Galliani has been a long-term advocate of Italian clubs owning their stadiums so they can maximize their match-day income.

"Without owning our own stadiums we can't think of signing (Lionel) Messi or (Cristiano) Ronaldo. Ten years ago we would have. If we can't resolve this problem we won't have Kaka, Pato, (Zlatan) Ibrahimovic or any of these great players.

"The stadiums are old and obsolete. The one we were in yesterday (Fiorentina's Artemio Franchi) was built just after World War II."

Galliani's comments follow a dismal season in Europe for Italian clubs, with Champions League winner Barcelona being the only non-English team in the semifinals.

Milan is meanwhile braced for another attempt on its star player Kaka. On Sunday long-term admirer Florentino Perez was elected as club president and reports in Spain say the Brazilian will be presented as a Madrid player on Thursday.

"In regard to Kaka he is still a Milan player and has had no contact with anyone nor signed anything with anyone. He is on a contract here," Galliani said. "As far as we are concerned he is with the best team in Europe."

Leonardo was presented on Monday as his predecessor Carlo Ancelotti was named by Chelsea as its new coach.

It is obvious Italy trails in the football industry financially. It comes as no surprise because of several obstacles, (inter being the odd ones out) such as sporting tax, venue income, etc.

It is not something that will be fixed over a night, rather it needs time as there are other intangible obstacles that need to be dealt with first; such as the bureaucracy of the FIGC amongst others.


This is not the first time Galliani has spoken of it and it wont be the last. The only reason Milan is able to keep hold of its stars and the only reason Milan can keep a competitive squad, is due to Berlusconi's direct injection of funds.

Either turn your back to sentimentalism and "San Siro is home" and build your own stadium, or don't whine about it!!
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it's ridiculous 'rivals' in Italy 'share' stadiums.
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PS. with all my heart I hope Italy's bid for Euro 2016 will be accepted. it's the last chance for the country to save itself from this situation and upgrade its stadiums or build new ones.

Why so??!

Does morrati know that italy doesn't have enough spending power?

doesn't care probably.

Well he is the CEO of Saras, which is concentrated on oil refining, in other words a cash cow. And during the recession in Italy in 2007, oil was selling @ $149 per barrel.

That created, in simpler terms, a HUGE pocket of cash for his company. Verses other club owners in Italy which do not have the luxury of depending on the benefits of the black gold (oil).

Hence, inter being the odd ones out.

But we've also been hearing reports that inyer is in massive debt, how is it that this is so, yet they still seem to carry on (unaffected) year after year?
Are the reports to be believed?

Please excuse my ignorance for what may seem something like common sense to you guys.

Well inter has a huge debt on its books, but the only reason they are able and comfortable to maintain that debt (and increase it as they please), is because Massimo Moratti and/or Saras have placed a guarantee with the bank(s) with which inter has debt from. Usually those are a promise to pay in case the guarantor (inter) fails to pay.