Serie A has abandoned plans to take one of its league matches outside Italy for the first time, calling off a proposal to stage AC Milan’s home game against Como in Australia next February.
The match, which was due to be played in Perth, had been lined up because the San Siro will host the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics on February 6, forcing Milan to move their fixture two days later. Instead of relocating within Italy, the league explored taking the game overseas as part of a broader push to grow its international profile.
That ambition has now been shelved. Serie A president Ezio Simonelli said financial risk and late logistical complications made the plan unworkable.
“In light of the increasingly unacceptable demands from the Asian football authorities, the Western Australian government and Serie A have mutually agreed to abandon the idea of hosting the match in Perth,” Simonelli said.
According to Serie A, requirements imposed by the Asian Football Confederation, including the appointment of Asian match officials, added layers of complexity that ultimately proved decisive. Simonelli had indicated earlier this week that the fixture would go ahead as planned, but the league has now confirmed the reversal.
The decision follows a similar episode in Spain earlier this season. La Liga had sought to stage Villarreal’s match against Barcelona in Miami, receiving UEFA approval despite resistance from clubs and players. That fixture was eventually cancelled in October.
For Serie A, the Milan v Como game will now remain in Italy, bringing an end, at least for now, to hopes of exporting a competitive league match beyond Europe.
