The West Australian government is firmly committed to ensuring that Perth will host a Serie A match between AC Milan and Como next year, following the cancellation of a planned match between Barcelona and Villarreal in the United States.
Due to the unavailability of the San Siro during the Winter Olympics, Italy’s football federation (FIGC) has authorized AC Milan to play against Como in Perth on February 6, July, marking a historic moment for Serie A in Australia.
Earlier this month, UEFA granted its reluctant approval for the Barcelona versus Villarreal fixture in Miami. However, due to significant backlash in Spain, LaLiga announced on Tuesday the cancellation of its planned match, citing the uncertainty caused by protests.
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As for Serie A’s intentions to host a match in Australia, no announcements have been made, but the West Australian government is optimistic that the plans will proceed as scheduled.
“The WA Government is dedicated to bringing Serie A to Australia for the first time, and we’re confident in the support from Football Australia, both teams, and Serie A as we await final approvals from the AFC and FIFA,” stated Rita Saffioti, West Australia’s deputy premier and minister for sport and recreation, in a statement to ESPN.
Reflecting on AC Milan’s recent successful preseason visit to Perth, she noted, “The friendly matches with AC Milan and AS Roma demonstrated the strong European football following in WA.”
While UEFA has approved the fixture, FIFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and the local governing body Football Australia need to give their consent before it can be officially confirmed and contracts can be signed.
In a conversation with West Australian media, Saffioti, who traveled to Italy to help finalize the arrangement, mentioned her belief that the required approvals would arrive soon. “We received supportive feedback from the Italian league yesterday, so we feel optimistic,” she remarked, adding, “I’m checking my phone for updates almost every hour, or every 10 minutes. We anticipate it to occur in the coming days; that’s why we’re waiting.”
AC Milan has toured West Australia twice in recent years, featuring a friendly match against Roma in 2024 and facing local A-League Men team Perth Glory earlier this year.
These visits are part of a broader investment in sports and major events by the West Australian government. Perth is slated to be one of three host cities for next year’s Women’s Asian Cup, will host the return of State of Origin in the AFL, and is collaborating with TKO to host various UFC and WWE events.
The initiative to host a Serie A match, a move that Como has stated is vital for the survival of Serie A, has sparked controversy, with Milan midfielder Adrien Rabiot calling it “completely crazy.”
The Football Supporters Association Australia has joined the opposition, alongside Football Supporters Europe, arguing that “domestic league fixtures are intrinsically connected to their home territories” and expressing concerns about the effect on local A-League Men’s and Women’s competitions.