The Slovak government will build a new football stadium in Bratislava

Bratislava - The Slovak government will build a new football stadium in Bratislava, from whose construction businessman and owner of the current champion Slovan Bratislava Ivan Kmotrík has withdrawn. This was announced today by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who stated that the stadium will cost between 40 to 45 million euros (1.1 to 1.2 billion korunas) and should be completed within two years.
    "We are taking on the responsibility and are ready to create all the conditions for the national football stadium to be built in Bratislava. We have run out of patience and we are no longer willing to watch as the stadium is still being talked about and nothing is happening," Fico said at a press conference. He did not provide details, but according to him, the arena's capacity will not reach 50,000 spectators.
    Fico stated that the new stadium should serve the national team, as well as host cultural events and league teams. Currently, only Slovan is playing in the highest football league among Bratislava clubs. According to Fico, Slovan should contribute to the construction.
    The construction of a new arena for approximately 20,000 spectators at the site of the former famous football stadium Tehelné pole was originally planned by Kmotrík, and the state had promised a grant of 27 million euros (almost 740 million korunas) for this project. However, Kmotrík announced on Monday that he does not intend to continue with the project. He noted that the entire plan is currently being reviewed by the prosecutor's office.
    According to public radio, the prosecutor's office is investigating whether the issuance of a zoning decision for the construction violated the zoning plan, which designated the Tehelné pole area for sports purposes rather than for apartments and offices that the investor planned to build alongside the stadium. Fico stated that the mentioned commercial spaces will not be part of the complex and that the site is ready for construction. The original Tehelné pole stadium has since been demolished, and excavation work has already taken place on the site.
    Bratislava currently does not have a modern football arena. Slovan plays home matches at the technically outdated Pasienky stadium, where the club has also appeared in European League matches.