New Roma stadium construction could begin by June

ROME (AP) — Rome's mayor says he hopes that construction on Roma's new stadium will begin by June.

Roma introduced the stadium project in an elaborate presentation at Rome's city hall in March and declared that it would open for the 2016-17 season.

But gaining approval from city and regional authorities has been a complicated process.

Following a meeting with Roma president James Pallotta on Saturday, Mayor Ignazio Marino says "our hope is to lay the first stone within the first six months of 2015."

The stadium will be built on Rome's outskirts at an estimated cost of 300 million euros ($370 million).

Also Saturday, midfielder Kevin Strootman was included in Roma's squad for Sunday's match against Torino, marking the Netherlands international's return eight months after left knee surgery.