Udinese Announce New Stadium Plans

Giampaolo Pozzo, Udinese's president, has confirmed plans are well underway for the redevelopment of the Friuli.
Udinese president Giampaolo Pozzo is hoping to have a new stadium in place and fully operational for the 2013-14 season after announcing plans to redevelop the unpopular Stadio Friuli.

The Friuli is often nearer empty than full, even for the biggest matches, as views from around the terraces are far from the pitch action.

Three-quarters of the stadium is also exposed - with no roof offering cover from the elements - a major problem as it sits near the Dolomite mountains.

"We hope the works for the redevelopment of the Friuli can begin from next June or July so they are complete for the 2013-14 campaign," Pozzo told the press.

"The Mayor, Furio Honsell, is doing his best to speed up the times so we can get started on the work as soon as possible."

The new stadium will hold 22,000 spectators, and the stands will be closer to the pitch.