AC Milan’s game against Como is set to be played in Australia, but something has happened which could see a change of plans.
The official announcement hasn’t arrived yet, but Milan-Como in Perth on the weekend of February 7-8 seems like a done deal and just needs to be ratified. Until it is made official, though, there is always the possibility for a U-turn.
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Pressure on from UEFA
Earlier this week, it was confirmed that LaLiga have decided to cancel the Villarreal-Barcelona match in Miami on December 20 following protests from players and fans, as well as Real Madrid’s complaint about the league’s integrity.
As Corriere della Sera (via MilanPress) explain this morning, there is now curiosity to understand the fate of the game in Western Australia between the two sides from Lombardy, given the precedent now set from Spain.
They add that UEFA are putting strong pressure on Lega Serie A to reconsider their plans to play a game halfway across the world. The project is moving forward for now, awaiting approval from the Asian Football Confederation and FIFA above all.
Reports believe Serie A will earn €12m just for the game being at the Optus Stadium, of which Milan will get the lion’s share. However the public pressure may become too much to have a price tag.
UEFA were the ones who approved it. The Asian Football federation are being pressured not to approve it and FIFA hasn’t given their OK so far either. That’s our last hope of common sense.
Feels like an easy solution is to move the Winter Olympics 😂
In all seriousness why did the league schedule a home game when the stadium wasn’t available? It’s not like they didn’t know the Olympics was happening this year. Classic Italia