Cagliari Cancel Stadium Contract

Serie A club Cagliari have cancelled their contract at the Stadio Is Arenas and are looking for a new home venue.

The Italian side informed the local authorities of their decision to leave the stadium, which is based in Quartu Sant’Elena and has been plagued with safety problems since it opened at the start of the season.

Cagliari have had to play some games behind closed doors after the stadium was judged to be unsafe by local officials.

The Lega Serie A ordered the club to play their home game against Roma in September 2012, however club president Massimo Cellino ignored orders and invited season-ticket holders to attend. The game was cancelled and Roma were awarded a 3-0 win.

A home match against Juventus in December was moved to Parma’s Stadio Ennio Tardini and February’s game against AC Milan was due to take place in Turin, before Cagliari successfully appealed.

Cellino was one of three men arrested on Febraury 14 as part of an investigation into the stadium’s construction. Italian reports suggest the Guardia Forestale were investigating alleged attempted embezzlement and fraudulent misrepresentation concerning the stadium.