Berlusconi: To stand down
Silvio Berlusconi has confirmed that he will step down as Milan president when he begins his third term as Italian prime minister.
Berlusconi won last week’s general election and is expected to be sworn in early next month.
The move is unlikely to cause upheaval at Milan as vice president Adriano Galliani is in charge of the day-to-day running of the club, but Berlusconi admits it will be a difficult moment.
“I will have to give up the presidency of Milan and this pains me. My new role is incompatible,” he told Radio Radio.
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Berlusconi has also given his blessing to American businessman George Soros, who plans to take over rivals Roma.
There had been suggestions that Berlusconi would oppose such a move on the grounds that he wanted to keep foreigners out of Serie A, but he has rejected those theories.
“If someone comes in who can make the fans happy by strengthening the squad, he’s more than welcome,” said Berlusconi.
“I’m not against the arrival of foreign investors for Roma.
“It’s a consolidated practice in Europe now. Just think of the English teams, with (Roman) Abramovich who has taken over a club (Chelsea) that is dear to the hearts of many English people.
“Roma fans want a winning team, so if someone comes in who can put in the resources to build a winning team who will be protagonists in Italy and Europe, they will be enthusiastic and I hope things develop as they want them to.
“I don’t see how I could get in the way of something like this.”
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