The groundbreaking plan to stage the Serie A match between Milan and Como in Perth, Australia, is reportedly heading towards a collapse, according to information relayed from La Gazzetta dello Sport by Calciomercato.
The fixture, scheduled for the 24th matchday of the season, had generated controversy due to the major relocation outside of Italy, which would penalize season ticket holders and domestic fans of both Lombardy clubs. The match was initially intended to be played at the Optus Stadium in Perth, a large 61,000-seat oval-shaped venue.
ย
The Stumbling Block: Non-Negotiable Conditions
While the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Football Australia had given conditional approval for the match to be played on February 8, 2026, in Perth, the conditions imposed were too restrictive for Lega Serie A.
One key condition stipulated that the match could not be explicitly advertised as a Serie A fixture. Furthermore, the AFC required that an AFC referee and their assistants be used for the match, rather than officials from the Italian Refereesโ Association (CAN). These two specific conditions have resulted in the process stalling, making the prospect of the first-ever Serie A match outside of Italyโs borders highly unlikely.
ย
Milan Must Find a New Venue
With the proposed Australia trip approaching a โblack smokeโ decision (unlikely), Milan now face the urgent task of finding an alternative venue in Italy. The match cannot be played at San Siro, as the stadium is scheduled to host the opening ceremony of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Both Milan and the Lega Serie A confirm that no final decision has been made, as they await the definitive position of FIFA, the only body currently capable of unlocking the situation.
ย
ย
ย
ย
Kaustubh Pandey I GIFN
