The Bad Blue Boys issued a statement regarding the winning solution for the new stadium at Maksimir, stating that they cannot support it. They highlighted that the chosen design does not align with the basic principles defined as important for Dinamo's fans.
The key issue identified is that the winning solution by the Milan-based studio VG13 Architects does not feature a closed stadium or connected stands. The question of connectivity has become the subject of professional debate, as some architects argue that the tender conditions and the responses to participants' queries indicated that the stands should be connected.
The fans stated that the club had clearly and precisely summarised the basic principles and the wishes of the majority of fans prior to the selection of the design for the new stadium. They added that they had the opportunity to present their proposals in the draft, but state that the selected design does not align with some basic principles of that draft, primarily the closed stadium and connected stands.
They expect the club and its representatives to primarily follow the wishes and interests of the club and its fans, taking their opinions into account. They stated that the stadium issue transcends the usual decisions made by the club.
The winning solution was presented on 24 September, with the selection made by a committee including Dinamo's president Zvonimir Boban, Zagreb's mayor Tomislav Tomašević, and the Minister of Tourism and Sport, Tonči Glava. The project stipulates that the stadium will have open corners.
Boban has defended the project on several occasions. He emphasised that he was seeking something different from generic modern stadiums and stated that he would not yield to public pressure and abandon the project. He highlighted that the solution would undergo certain corrections during further development, with the message that he deeply believes the chosen solution is the best for Dinamo, Zagreb, and its urban identity.
In the current poll, nearly 140,000 readers voted, with 79 per cent stating that they do not like the design of the new Maksimir. The president of the judging panel, Tom Plejić, defended the jury's decision, explaining that the idea of open corners is part of the concept of a permeable stadium connected to the city.
The authors of the winning project, Tommaso Fantini and Alberto Rossi, responded to the criticisms. They stated that they understand the strong emotions the project evokes and that what has been shown to the public so far is only part of the solution, which will be further explained and developed during the detailed design phase.
The president of the Zagreb Assembly, Matej Mišić, stated that the stadium is built for the fans, not for architects, and called for a broader discussion and possible functional and visual corrections to the design. HDZ stated on social media that the winning project is not a final choice, but a proposal by the jury, and that it is monitoring the reactions of the citizens.
The Group of City Representatives, Drito, announced an initiative for a referendum to attempt to halt the realisation of the selected design. Sources close to one of the investors have indicated that it is not excluded that the city and the state may not proceed with the winning solution and may initiate a new procedure, but no steps have yet been taken in that direction.
