Serie A Faces Backlash Over Milan-Como Match in Australia
Serie A’s Bold Move: Milan vs. Como Set for Perth
The Italian football world is in turmoil following the announcement that the Serie A fixture between Como and AC Milan will be played in Perth, Australia, in February 2026. This unprecedented decision has sparked intense debate among fans, players, and football authorities, raising questions about the future direction of Italy’s top league and the globalization of domestic competitions.
Como’s Perspective: A Bid for Survival and Global Relevance
Como 1907, currently sitting eighth in Serie A and managed by former Spanish international Cesc Fàbregas, has been vocal in defending the move. Club officials argue that staging the match abroad is essential for the survival and revitalization of Serie A. They point to the league’s golden era in the 1990s, when Italian football was widely regarded as the pinnacle of the sport, attracting global audiences and top talent.
The club’s leadership believes that taking a marquee fixture overseas can help restore Serie A’s international profile, which has waned in recent decades amid fierce competition from the English Premier League and Spain’s La Liga. Como’s management has also announced plans to invite 50 loyal supporters to accompany the team on the 8,500-mile journey to Australia, emphasizing their commitment to maintaining a connection with the fanbase even as they seek new markets.
Player Reactions: Dissent and Disbelief
The decision has not been universally welcomed. Several AC Milan players have publicly criticized the plan. Goalkeeper Mike Maignan and midfielder Adrien Rabiot have been especially outspoken. Rabiot described the idea as “completely crazy,” questioning the financial motivations behind the move and expressing concern over the impact on players’ schedules and well-being.
Their objections highlight a growing tension between the commercial ambitions of football executives and the priorities of players, who are often asked to make sacrifices for the sake of expanding the sport’s reach. The prospect of a long-haul flight and a match played far from home has raised concerns about fatigue, injury risk, and the disruption of the domestic calendar.
Serie A Leadership Defends the Decision
Serie A CEO Luigi De Siervo responded forcefully to the criticism from players. He argued that footballers earning millions of euros should be willing to make occasional sacrifices for the good of the league and their employers. De Siervo insisted that such initiatives are necessary if Serie A is to remain competitive on the world stage and attract new fans and sponsors.
He also emphasized that the match in Perth is not just a commercial venture but a strategic move to showcase Italian football to a broader audience. According to De Siervo, the league must adapt to changing times and seize opportunities to grow its brand internationally, even if it means challenging traditional norms.
UEFA and FIFA: Reluctant Approval and Legal Concerns
The decision to play a Serie A match outside Italy required approval from European football’s governing body. UEFA granted permission, but only “on an exceptional basis” and with clear reservations. The organization stressed that the move should not be seen as setting a precedent, citing regulatory gaps at the global level that currently allow such events to occur.
Meanwhile, FIFA, the sport’s global governing body, is reportedly seeking legal advice on whether it can prohibit domestic league matches from being staged abroad. This development reflects broader concerns about the commercialization of national competitions and the potential erosion of local football traditions. FIFA’s intervention could have significant implications for Serie A and other leagues considering similar ventures in the future.
Fan Reaction: Tradition vs. Modernization
The news has divided supporters across Italy and beyond. Traditionalists argue that domestic league matches should be played on home soil, preserving the unique atmosphere and community ties that define Italian football. They worry that taking games overseas risks alienating local fans and undermining the integrity of the competition.
Others, however, see the move as a necessary step to ensure the league’s financial health and global relevance. With television rights and sponsorship deals increasingly tied to international exposure, some fans accept that the sport must evolve to survive in a crowded entertainment landscape.
What’s Next for Serie A?
The Milan-Como match in Perth is set to be a landmark event, one that could shape the future of Serie A and influence how other leagues approach globalization. The outcome of FIFA’s legal review will be closely watched, as will the response from fans, players, and sponsors.
As Italian football grapples with these challenges, the debate over tradition versus modernization is likely to intensify. Whether the Perth experiment succeeds or fails, it will serve as a crucial test case for the balance between commercial ambition and the preservation of football’s unique cultural heritage.
For more on this developing story, see coverage from BBC Sport and The Guardian.