Real Madrid have been dealt a blow in their plans to redevelop the Santiago Bernabeu after the city’s supreme court of justice ruled the project should be halted with immediate effect.
Los Blancos have unveiled plans to update the stadium and add a number of new features including a shopping mall and hotel, as well as adding a retractable roof to over the famous ground.
The project, which is expected to cost upwards of 350 million euros was being funded largely by IPIC, an Abu Dhabi-based investment group. Club president Florentino Perez was overheard recently saying the group would get the stadium naming rights in return.
For now though, any plans will have to be put on hold until the club and the city council work together to resolve the issue.
A statement on the club website read: “Madrid’s Supreme Court of Justice has annulled the agreement of November 15, 2012 issued by the Governing Council of the Municipal Community of Madrid, which approved the modification of land-use plan related to the Santiago Bernabéu.
“Following this ruling, Real Madrid will work with the City Council and the Community of Madrid in resolving those aspects that are necessary to make the redevelopment of the Santiago Bernabéu stadium viable.”
