FIFA President Gianni Infantino warns “Italy are today behind Gabon when it comes to stadiums. It’s incredible that only Udinese and Juventus own their arenas.”

Infantino spoke to Rai Sport about the problems affecting Italian football and gave a damning indictment.

“The situation with stadiums in Italy goes beyond all logic. This is a country that has incredible passion and culture for football. Yet today Italy are behind Gabon, who organised the most recent Africa Cup of Nations, when it comes to stadiums.

“It’s incredible to see that only Udinese and Juventus own their arenas. A stadium is not just an expense, but above all an investment.”

This is not through want of trying, as Roma have been fighting for years to get permission for their Stadio Della Roma project, continually pushed back by the local authorities.

Napoli, Lazio and Fiorentina are also among the clubs who have seen their projects caught up in red tape for years, even decades.