Technical teams hired by AS Roma have resumed work on the site in Pietralata, where geological and archaeological surveys are being carried out as part of plans to construct the club’s new stadium. Meanwhile, Rome city officials have met with citizen groups opposing the project.

Surprise restart of works amid ongoing tensions

Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri confirmed during an interview on La7 that Roma’s stadium will be built, we are at an advanced stage. Lazio has also expressed interest in building their own stadium. If everything proceeds smoothly, Rome will have two new stadiums. He emphasized that both clubs have pledged not to include speculative real estate developments in their projects, focusing instead on stadiums and large green areas.

However, on the morning of May 13, as civic committees gathered for meetings at Campidoglio, fencing works unexpectedly began on the land earmarked for archaeological testing. The work had originally been scheduled for the previous day but was postponed following a protest by around 100 residents of the Pietralata neighborhood.

Urban Planning Councillor Maurizio Veloccia stated that archaeological surveys must proceed according to legal frameworks. Blocking legally approved operations through spontaneous actions is unacceptable. However, tensions and force must be avoided. That is why we called for patience and a temporary pause in preparatory work.

© AS Roma

Opposition: “An unnecessary and unlawful project”

Filiberto Zaratti, MP from the left-wing Avs coalition and member of the Constitutional Affairs Commission, offered a starkly different view: This was a dark day for the city and for the committees opposing an unnecessary project of new AS Roma stadium. Peaceful protests this morning were met with unacceptable police action. There are serious legal concerns at multiple stages of this project’s approval. Zaratti urged Mayor Gualtieri to take political responsibility and formally engage with opponents, who not only criticize the stadium’s social and environmental impact but also allege procedural irregularities.

The committees announced they would continue their fight with three consecutive days of mobilization. On Wednesday, May 14th at 12:00 PM, a demonstration took place in front of the Department of Environment. On Thursday, May 15th at 4:30 PM, a static picket was held in front of the Department of Urban Planning. Finally, on Saturday, May 17th at 10:00 AM, a march was planned to conclude at the Capitoline Hill.

© AS Roma