AEK stadium in last leg for finalization

"This intervention will include an overall remodeling of the area but it aims also to help in the revival and growth of the wider region as well", said Environment Minister Yiannis Maniatis, who added that "the project will respect the natural and urban environment".

The head of the Football Association, Dimitris Melisanidis, presented on October the projected new stadium of AEK which is also known as “Hagia Sofia” by the team's fans.

This project’s architect is Thanasis Kyratsous, who will design AEK's new stadium. The stadium will have about 32,000 seats and cost about 65 million euros. What is worrying taxpayers is that 20 of that will come out of state coffers, and specifically from the funds of the Attica Regional Authority, through the intervention of governor Sgouros, who may perhaps be running in local elections in three months.

The Ecumenical Patriarchate would like to contribute 50,000 euros to this effort.

The cost of this project has yet to be unveiled, but AEK has been granted 20 million euros by the government as a contribution to the stadium and the rest of the funding will be done privately. It is modeled after the Hagia Sophia church in Constantinople.

In Greece and in the Greek media it is being called a unique stadium, unrivaled in beauty. Around 1000-1500 new jobs will become available and the neighborhood is expected to benefit largely from this endeavor.