Betis still fails to convince neighbours and politicians of the ‘small Bernabeu’ project. Disgruntled residents believe that the city is ‘subordinating safety to the interests of the club’. In response to these reports, the government sub-delegation has assured that it will monitor the project of the new Estadio Benito Villamarín.

Safety vs. club interests

It is a year since the first visualisations of the new Benito Villamarín were presented, and the subject of redevelopment continues to stir emotions and uncertainty. In addition to the club, Sevilla residents and local politicians are also involved in the heated debate about the new stadium.

This time, the Sevilla Government Subdelegation (the highest representation of central government at provincial level) has spoken out. As reported by the Spanish agency Europa Press, the subdelegation assured that, although the decision to grant permission to start the work was up to the city, it will ensure that adequate safety conditions are guaranteed.

As EP reports, following this statement, opponents' associations reiterated their concerns about the project's impact on the surrounding area, accusing the Sevilla Authority of subordinating the safety of thousands of participants in sporting events at Estadio Benito Villamarín to the lucrative interests of the club.

© Rafael de la-Hoz, Gensler

Unequal exchange

The biggest objection is to the 47-metre-high building that will be located on land owned by the city. It is to house, among other things, club offices and a hotel. According to the opponents' associations, the building will create an obvious danger to those assisting sporting events and its construction goes against the recommendations of the FIFA Council of Europe.

As part of the project, Real Club Betis has committed to creating a green public space of several hundred square metres on the building, five metres above the ground. According to EP, the club estimates that in total, as part of the deal, it will make 3,000 m² available for public use and give away 2,500 m² to the city in front of the facade.

Residents, however, see these steps as far from sufficient to consider that the gains match the losses. They fear that the new stadium, copying on a smaller scale the appearance and operating model of Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, will bring them the same problems as the Los Blancos’ arena did for the residents of Madrid. Environmentalists are also protesting against such an exchange.

© Rafael de la-Hoz, Gensler