Real Madrid stadium redevelopment plans blocked by Spanish court

Real Madrid’s stadium redevelopment plans have been put on hold by a Spanish court due to an ongoing investigation into possible illegal state aid.

 

The court suspended an agreement between the club and the Madrid city government because Real, along with six other La Liga clubs including Barcelona, is under investigation by the European Commission.

 

Real had planned to build a hotel and shopping complex in the Bernabeu, as well as adding a new roof to the stadium.

 

The ambitious renovation plans would have cost the club €400m (£319m) and increased spectator capacity from 85,454 to 90,000.

 

Club president Florentino Perez had described the redevelopment as “a pioneering project which perfectly reflects our goals”.

 

However the agreement between the club and the Madrid city government, which was crucial to the proposed redevelopment plans to the Bernabeu, has been suspended.

 

The agreement had previously been described by the investigating European Commission as appearing “very advantageous.” 

 

A statement from the court read:

 

 

Real are yet to respond to the ruling. They have 10 days to lodge an official appeal.