Football fans worldwide are celebrating after Italian football authorities cancelled a controversial plan to stage a Serie A match in Australia. The fixture between AC Milan and Como, scheduled for Perth on 8 February 2025, has been scrapped following what organisers called 'onerous' demands from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
Fan Groups Hail 'Early Christmas Present'
The decision, confirmed on Tuesday 23 December 2024, was met with immediate applause from supporters' organisations. Football Supporters Europe labelled the news "an early Christmas present", declaring it a win for keeping European football within its local communities.
In Australia, the Football Supporters Association echoed the sentiment, calling it a "significant victory for common sense, integrity, and local football supporters globally." The group did, however, express disappointment that the proposal had progressed as far as it did.
Why the Perth Match Fell Through
The ambitious project, which had secured approval from all 20 Serie A clubs, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), and UEFA, ultimately foundered on the conditions set by the AFC. The Asian governing body, which had to sanction the match as it was being played in its territory, reportedly insisted on using local referees and banned all Serie A branding from the event.
In a joint statement, the FIGC and the Western Australian Government said the AFC's stipulations introduced unacceptable financial risks that "could not be mitigated." This led to the plug being pulled just weeks before the teams were due to fly halfway around the world.
A Broader Setback for Overseas League Games
This cancellation represents a major setback for European leagues exploring lucrative overseas regular-season matches. It follows a similar retreat by Spain's LaLiga, which recently shelved plans to stage a Villarreal versus Barcelona match in Miami.
The movement faces stiff opposition from UEFA, which opposes domestic matches being played outside national borders, and from a powerful coalition of fans, players, and some clubs. While LaLiga insists it hasn't given up, the Milan-Como cancellation is seen by many as a nail in the coffin for such proposals.
Serie A's initiative was designed to boost the global profile of Italian football. However, the unified resistance from governing bodies and supporter groups has demonstrated the significant logistical and philosophical hurdles these plans must overcome.
