Italy’s Serie A has described as “excessive” an EU official’s criticism of plans to stage AC Milan’s home league match against Como in Perth, Australia, in February 2026. The league said the move is part of a strategy to promote Italian football globally and amounts to “one match out of 380,” after EU Sports Commissioner Glenn Micallef called such relocations a “betrayal” of loyal fans.
The Italian federation FIGC approved the one-off relocation in June 2025, with final authorisation still required from UEFA and FIFA. The request stems from San Siro’s expected use during the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics period.
5/ As Commissioner and as a lifelong football fan, I believe that clubs owe most of their success to their loyal fans & local communities. This is the first big stress test for governance since the Super League. Strong, community-based clubs are the heart of the European Sport…
— Glenn Micallef (@GlennMicallef) August 27, 2025
Micallef set out his stance in a post on X and in media comments, saying: “European competitions must be played in Europe. European football must stay in Europe… Moving competitions abroad isn’t innovation, it’s betrayal.” He also said he would stand with supporters in Spain and Italy as leagues explore taking domestic fixtures overseas.
Serie A replied that his remarks underestimated the “complexity and strategic value” of taking a single game abroad to reach new audiences, arguing that Milan and Como fans would, in return, benefit from increased international visibility for Italian football.
The dispute comes as La Liga pursues a plan for Barcelona v Villarreal to be played in Miami in December 2025, a proposal that has intensified the debate over exporting regular-season matches. Micallef condemned that idea on similar grounds this week.
What happens next hinges on approvals from football’s governing bodies. If ratified, Milan–Como in Perth would be a first for a top European league staging a competitive domestic match outside Europe, while testing how far clubs and leagues can go in globalising their products without alienating core supporters at home.
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