Mixing politics with sport is rarely good for sport. Real Valladolid fans and the club itself know this well, watching the political squabbling over the modernisation of Estadio José Zorrilla, because so far the only upgrades on the arena have been initiated by the club.

“One-year delay” vs. “media hype”

Local activists of the socialist PSOE have in recent days accused the current ruling coalition in the city of Valladolid of a one-year delay in the Estadio José Zorrilla redevelopment project. Their plan was to concession the stadium and sports town to Real Valladolid for a period of 50 years in return for the club's commitment to upgrade the facilities.

The Socialists' argument is cited by El Españyol. They held up the signing of the convention before the spring 2023 elections, they say, so that it was up to the newly emerged coalition to agree a final vision with the club. The reason was the differences between the plans of the PP's poll-leading Populists and the PSOE's plan and, they believe, the club's demands. The new PP mayor had promised a €25m redevelopment during the campaign, and as the socialists say after a year and a half, nothing of the election promise is visible.

© Real Valladolid

The PP, which now forms a right-wing governing coalition together with VOX, regards the allegations as media hype and fireworks. They assure that they have been working for more than a year "in perfect harmony" with the club to carry out the reform of the stadium and sports town in an orderly, responsible manner and with realistic deadlines.

Through the mouth of José Ignacio Zarandona, the PP alleged that the PSOE's proposal would mean that the stadium would have to last for 45 years in its current situation. According to him, the terms of the agreement made it impossible to carry out any modernisation work.

© Real Valladolid

City delays, stadium awaits

While the city's politicians shift responsibility for the situation, the Estadio José Zorrilla is in a worse state every year. The only changes that will be made before the start of the 2024/25 season are the refurbishment of the facade at a cost of around €1 million from the CVC fund.

While changing the concrete grey to the club's colours will undoubtedly refresh the look of the stadium, it does nothing to address the problems of, among others, the need to enclose and roof the south sector or the poor access to the stadium.

Upgrading the sports town adjacent to the venue would not only serve the club, however, but also the 2030 World Cup teams, as the club's facilities will become a team base camp during the tournament.