Serie A cancels plans for AC Milan v Como in Perth

23 December – Plans to stage Serie A matches in Australia have been scrapped, with Italy’s top flight confirming that AC Milan’s fixture against Como will no longer be played in Perth following regulatory complications involving the Asian Football Confederation.

The match, due to take place in Western Australia in February, will mark the first time a domestic European league match has been held outside its home continent, after La Liga’s plans to host a match between Villarreal and Barcelona in Miami were also scrapped.

Serie A said the proposal had been in development for several months and had received provisional approval from UEFA in October, along with a separate request from La Liga.

Despite careful planning, Serie A president Ezio Simonelli said a combination of financial risks and late-stage problems ultimately made the match unviable.

“In the face of further escalating and unacceptable requests made by the AFC in recent hours to the Australian Federation as well as the Government of Western Australia and the Serie A Football League, it has become impossible to play the Milan-Como match in Perth on February 8,” Simonelli said.

Early in the process, the proposal faced challenges related to regulatory conditions, including requirements around the use of match officials. However, Simonelli had indicated earlier this week that the match was still expected to take place before a final decision was taken.

Como is one of the clubs that supports the idea of ​​playing league matches overseas, arguing that expansion into new markets may be necessary to maintain Serie A’s competitiveness. The club previously stated that “sacrifices are essential” to ensure the “survival” of the league in an era shaped by the financial might of the Premier League.

The plan has faced criticism from advocacy groups. Football Supporters Europe (FSE) said “one domestic game abroad is one game too many”, voicing general concerns around the impact of overseas games on local fans and season ticket holders. Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has also weighed in, and confirmed in August that there were no plans to stage England’s top-flight matches outside England.

Although the match in Perth will not go ahead, Serie A remains adamant that its proposal is part of a wider exploration of international opportunities and engagement, a theme that is increasingly unwavering in European leagues looking to compete with the Premier League. But for now, the historic first European league game abroad will have to wait.

Contact the author of this story, Harry Ewing, at strength.l1766511994Labto1766511994ofdlr1766511994become1766511994sni@g1766511994there he is.1766511994yrrah1766511994