The president of Lega Serie A has commented once again on the idea of playing AC Milan vs. Como in Australia, admitting it was a risk.
A few months ago, it became apparent that Milan could not host Como at San Siro on the data originally planned because the stadium was being used as part of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. So, the idea of playing the game elsewhere began to gain momentum, specifically in Perth.
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Reports began to surface suggesting that the idea of hosting the first ever European league match outside of the continent no longer seemed to be viable for various reasons, and then a statement on the official league website confirmed it.
‘Perhaps a bit risky’
Simonelli spoke at a press conference in which he was quizzed by various journalists about various topics connected to the present and future of the league, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
“We didn’t discuss it today. The Super Cup will tend to be a one-off match. The idea of going abroad was tied to promoting Italian football, but the Perth option fell through for well-known reasons. In hindsight, it was perhaps a bit risky,” he said.
“However, that was the most advantageous option and was therefore chosen. If these opportunities arise again in the future, we will evaluate them, also based on the new FIFA and UEFA rules. We will try to adapt.
“I don’t think it’s a scandal. We know that the NFL is playing its first match in Europe, and the same goes for other sports, even the Giro d’Italia has stages abroad.
“I think it’s acceptable for football to travel abroad, and I understand that fans would always enjoy seeing their team play in their own stadium. But sacrificing one game out of 380, I don’t think, would create any problems.”
Yeah everybody is smarter in hindsight. Some people are just too thick to understand things in real time.
Italian football needs no travelling. It would do much better for italian football to be accessible easily in these areas with better streaming options. Fix that first instead of forcing the fans to pay premium services and/or access pirated content.
Well, this works as well in my opinion, but f-in Australia mate… during a period with matches every couple of days… That would have been insane for the players. Risking wo much in a crucial moment of the season.. not to mention it is rude to the local fans who purchased season tickets, etc..
All respect to Aussies, but it’s not an important market for any club – most of our matches are probably between 2am and 6am local time. The population is basically the same as Bulgaria+Romania, where people are mostly watching PL. They just had to choose a market on the continent where IT football is losing more ground.
Agreed. Somewhere in Asia would have been more commercially significant, and for cultural and historic ties with Serie A, I say Latin America would have been a good choice as well. Brazil or Argentina. 60% of the population of the latter is descended from Italians.
“But sacrificing one game out of 380, I don’t think, would create any problems.”
Then go sacrifice your beloved Inter Milan.
Make THEM fly 18 hours halfway across the globe and promote Serie A down under.