GHOST GROUND
Inside abandoned Italia 90 stadium where England played that’s now in ruins after workers feared electrocution
ITALIA ‘90 still holds a place in the hearts of football fans across the world - but one of the iconic tournament’s former stadiums now lies abandoned and ruined.
The Stadio Sant'Elia once seated 60,000 and played host to all three of England’s group matches 33 years ago.
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Built in 1970, the ground’s capacity was reduced for the 1990 World Cup and could only hold 40,919.
Despite that, it is still fondly remembered by followers of the Three Lions.
They watched Sir Bobby Robson’s boys draw with Ireland, and Holland before beating Egypt on our way to a memorable run to the semi-final.
The stadium was also the home to Italian club Cagliari until 2017.
READ MORE ON FORMER STADIUMS
Although they had to abandon it for a spell in 2012 due to a risk staff could be electrocuted.
Former club president Massimo Cellino previously revealed: “One of our staff was almost electrocuted a while ago and he risked death. The truth is you risk your life in there.
“In that stadium even the most basic safety situations are absent. If you risk your life in a stadium, then you cannot continue this way.
“We will end the season playing our home games in Trieste, then we will move to Quartu Sant’Elena.”
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Now the Stadio Sant'Elia now lies in ruins after it was left to rot.
The derelict stands are still in place, although they are now covered in dust and debris.
Outside, there are piles of seats littered everywhere along with scaffolding poles.
A set of goal posts still remain where the pitch once stood, but instead of the grass, huge weeds now stand where the turf used to be.
Cagliari at least managed to give it a great send-off six years ago.
They beat Serie A giants AC Milan 2-1 in their final game at the ground.
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