Switzerland: Zurich residents vote against a loan to build a new stadium

Zurich (SWI) inhabitants have refused, on the occasion of a local referendum, a credit of €175.8m for the construction of a 19,000-seat stadium, on the 22/09/2013. 50.8% of voters were against, or a gap of 1,747 votes.

Municipal authorities had offered to give credit to build a new stadium on Hardturm venue, stadium of Grasshopper Zurich until 2007. The two clubs in the city (FC Zurich and Grasshoppers) play in the Letzigrund Stadion (30,000 seats).

"The council accepts the decision, but regrets that the city of Zurich will not have a football stadium worthy of the name before a long time," said the municipality. Elected officials put forward that the Letzigrund Stadion is not specifically dedicated to football, as it has an athletics track.

Zurich has been FIFA's (Federation Internationale de Football Association) headquarters since 1932.