France’s professional footballers’ union, UNFP, has publicly supported Adrien Rabiot after the AC Milan midfielder criticised the decision to hold a Serie A match in Australia, calling the move “crazy”.
The fixture between Milan and Como, scheduled for February next year, is to be played in Perth due to the unavailability of the San Siro during the Winter Olympics. Serie A Chief Executive Luigi De Siervo defended the relocation, stating it would boost international visibility for Italian football.
However, Rabiot, 30, voiced concern about the logistics and impact on players, prompting a stern response from De Siervo, who said players should respect the money they earn and their employers.
In a statement released on Thursday, the UNFP defended Rabiot’s stance, calling his remarks “accurate” and reflective of how many players feel.
“Rabiot’s observation is shared by the vast majority of players because it is accurate, because it is based on empirical knowledge of football and the profession of footballer,” the statement read.
“Not all of them have access to the media to express themselves in this way. However, they should know that as the main players in the game, they have the right and even the duty to make their voices heard.
“Freedom of expression for footballers is a fundamental principle that the UNFP will always defend, as will FIFPRO, the global players’ union.”
The decision to stage the Serie A match abroad was reluctantly approved by UEFA on Monday, despite the European football body’s opposition to domestic league fixtures being played outside their home countries.
UEFA has also approved a LaLiga match in Miami, although it noted that FIFA’s current regulatory framework on such matters lacks clarity and is still under review.
