A highly anticipated Serie A clash between AC Milan and Como, scheduled to take place in Perth, Western Australia, has been officially cancelled. The decision comes after football sanctions imposed by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) made the match logistically and financially unfeasible.

The game was originally approved “reluctantly” by UEFA in October, alongside a similar arrangement for a La Liga match between Villarreal and Barcelona in Miami—which was later cancelled. Had it gone ahead, the Milan-Como fixture would have been the first-ever European league match staged outside of Europe, marking a historic moment for Italian football.

Why the AC Milan vs Como Match Was Cancelled

Serie A President Ezio Simonelli explained that escalating demands from the AFC made it “impossible” for the match to proceed. “In the face of an escalation of further and unacceptable requests arrived in the last few hours by the AFC towards the Australian Federation and consequently the Government of Western Australia and the Serie A Football League, it has become impossible to play the Milan-Como match in Perth on 8 February,” Simonelli said.

The complications arose despite earlier confirmations that the game would take place. Key issues included the requirement to use Asian match officials and the financial risks associated with staging a domestic Italian league game abroad.

Serie A’s Ambition to Expand Internationally

The plan to stage the Milan-Como game overseas had been part of Serie A’s broader strategy to increase its global reach and revenue streams. Clubs like Como argued that playing matches abroad is necessary to compete financially with the Premier League, which dominates the European football market. Como representatives had stated that “sacrifice is essential” for the survival of Serie A clubs in a rapidly commercializing football landscape.

However, not everyone welcomed the idea. Football Supporters Europe (FSE) criticized the move, stating that “one domestic match abroad is one too many,” reflecting widespread concern among fans about the growing commercialization of football.

Meanwhile, the Premier League has confirmed there are currently no plans to stage top-flight matches overseas, with chief executive Richard Masters emphasizing the importance of maintaining domestic league integrity.

What This Means for Italian Football Fans

Fans who had been looking forward to witnessing AC Milan and Como in Australia will now have to watch the fixture in Italy. While Serie A continues to explore international opportunities, this cancellation highlights the challenges of globalizing domestic football leagues, including regulatory hurdles, financial risks, and fan backlash.

Looking Ahead

The cancellation of the AC Milan vs Como match serves as a cautionary tale for European leagues considering overseas fixtures. Serie A officials have expressed a continued interest in expanding the league’s footprint abroad, but future plans will need to navigate the complex landscape of international football governance, government approvals, and fan sentiment.