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Roma were forced to delay work on the construction of their new stadium after circa 100 protesters blocked access to the site.

The Giallorossi have been given the all-clear to begin preliminary checks on the new arena in the Pietralata area of the Eternal City and some initial work was planned today, just to lay down markers for surveyors.

However, the company hired to put the markers down were prevented from accessing the site when circa 100 protesters gathered to block the road and not let the trucks through.

Police intervened to hold them back and create enough room, but the company decided it was better to delay and return on another date.

The protest was organised by a group that wants the area turned into a natural park and wants to block the construction of a stadium.

Stadio Della Roma project dragging on

Roma have been trying to build their own arena for over a decade, repeatedly seeing projects proposed and shot down because of issues with the area chosen and red tape.

Now they finally seem to be on track with an area that has been given the go-ahead.

It should have a capacity of up to 62,000, so smaller than the Stadio Olimpico that they currently share with Lazio, and Roma hope to have it open in 2028.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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