Plans for a Serie A match between Milan and Como in Perth are now in serious doubt, as mounting resistance from football’s governing bodies threatens to derail the proposal. The idea of hosting an Italian top-flight fixture 8,500 miles away from home, originally approved on an exceptional basis by UEFA, is facing fresh scrutiny from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Football Australia, and FIFA.
The proposed game, scheduled for February, was meant to showcase Italian football to a global audience and open new commercial frontiers. However, the AFC is reportedly under intense pressure not to authorise the match, while FIFA president Gianni Infantino recently described the staging of league fixtures on foreign continents as a “big risk.” His remarks have cast further doubt on the feasibility of the event.
The uncertainty follows the collapse of La Liga’s attempt to move Barcelona’s match against Villarreal to Miami in December. That plan was abandoned amid protests from Spain’s footballers’ union and formal objections from Real Madrid. The withdrawal came before ticket sales began, reflecting growing unease among stakeholders about domestic leagues taking matches overseas.
Although UEFA had granted initial approval for both the La Liga and Serie A ventures, support appears to be waning. Senior officials are reportedly concerned that proceeding with the Perth fixture could set an unwelcome precedent. Many within European football circles view these moves as potentially destabilising to local competitions and fan bases.
Players have also expressed frustration. Milan midfielder Adrien Rabiot criticised the idea as “crazy” and “absurd,” arguing that such plans prioritise commercial expansion over sporting integrity. Meanwhile, Como defended the proposal, claiming that global exposure was vital “for the survival of the league itself.”
With both the AFC and FIFA reconsidering their positions, the likelihood of the Milan–Como match going ahead in Australia appears increasingly slim. FIFA is currently reviewing its regulations on international matches and may introduce clearer restrictions on hosting domestic fixtures abroad early next year.
The Premier League and other European associations have also voiced opposition, fearing that overseas league games could undermine traditional football structures. For now, optimism is growing that the trend of relocating domestic fixtures to other continents may be halted—at least temporarily—as global football authorities push for stronger oversight and unity in maintaining the integrity of local competitions.
