Roma will use the English model when drawing up plans for their new home, club officials have confirmed.
Roma currently share the Stadio Olimpico with city rivals Lazio but want to build their own 55,000-seater stadium in the western outskirts of the city to increase much-needed revenue and give the fans a more intimate experience.
The Olimpico has a running track and coach Claudio Ranieri, a former Chelsea boss, is looking forward to the new stadium’s dugouts being next to the fans as they are in England.
“It means being together, being an integral part of the experience with the fans who are close,” Ranieri told a news conference.
“In England it’s like that everywhere. Away from home you feel like an opponent but never an enemy.”
Italian soccer suffers from a hooliganism problem and fans are rarely close to players and officials in current stadiums.
President Rosella Sensi gave a speech at the official unveiling of the project. She claimed the new ground will lead the club in the right direction.
“Our aim is to build a stadium for families. My father [Franco Sensi] and Dino Viola had put the new stadium at the centre of their programme,” she said.
“I apologise for these emotions, but for us this an important milestone that represents a point of arrival.”
Roma fans have also protested against president Rosella Sensi after another takeover bid failed this year.
Most Italian clubs rent stadiums from councils, meaning they have lost out on revenue and suffer in European competition compared to their English and Spanish counterparts who own their grounds.
Juventus are the first Serie A club to build their own stadium, with completion due in 2011, while Inter are keen to move away from the San Siro which Milan could then buy.
Reports say Sensi could name the stadium after her late father and previous president Franco Sensi.
Club captain Francesco Totti, 33, just hopes the ground can be completed in time for him to play at it.
“It’s hard, I hope they can build it quickly. I hope to manage it given that I’m signing a new five-year deal,” he said.
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