Stadium at the showdown, here are all the thorns of Barbera

On Wednesday, everyone will gather around a table for the Barbera. However, the premises seem anything but encouraging, with small and large obstacles that could slow down the race towards Euro 2032. The Uefa will decide in October, and everything must be ready by then. Insufficient documentation and design doubts emerge from the convening of the service conference at Palazzo Palagonia. First of all, the note from Coni Sicilia: attendance is subject to the acquisition, by the Municipality, of the technical sports opinion, which Coni can only issue after the technical or executive feasibility project has been uploaded to the online platform. The geomorphological compatibility study is missing, without which the Basin Authority cannot issue the opinion (which is legally required, especially since there is a "possible presence of underground cavities" in the area). The regional offices have deemed that "at this stage the application will be archived for manifest inadmissibility".

The doubts of the Superintendency: they said yes but on the condition that the structures dating back to the 1930s are not touched (unless prior verification of cultural interest), including the "three-arch facade and the lateral structures of the first ring dating from the construction period". The design option would be the same one the club is aiming for, with 38,471 seats, a capacity compatible with group stage matches, women's competitions, and Uefa/Fifa tournaments, while the minimum parameter for the Europa League final is 40,000, and for the Champions League 70,000. Parking issues: Palermo considers a part of the former Rom field essential and would only give it up if the Municipality found an equivalent area. However, the Rangers, who manage the Monte Pellegrino Reserve, oppose the plan stating that the area is designated for gardens for sports, recreational, and agricultural activities, with only a small part allocated for parking, depending on shuttle visits. The Rangers have requested a map of the spaces that Palermo would like to occupy.

Hiccups that Giulia Argiroffi and Ugo Forello (Oso) hope will not lead to an extension of the timeline. They add: "Appreciation for the effort of the company but it would be a shame that, in light of an investment of about 300 million euros, half of which is borne by Palermo, the stadium would remain in the category that allows hosting finals of minor competitions for only 1,529 seats".