Football Club Como has issued an official statement addressing the controversial decision to play their Serie A match against AC Milan in Perth, Australia, in a few months. The club asserts that “sometimes sacrifices are necessary” and suggests that this game will serve “the greater good” of the entire league.
Earlier this year, Milan and Como had requested to move their Serie A fixture, scheduled for February 8, 2026, to Australia. The Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in San Siro, the original venue, will be occupied for the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics on that date.
At the start of the week, UEFA confirmed that it had granted a one-time permission for the Milan-Como match to be played in Australia. However, UEFA reiterated its stance that league matches should, wherever possible, be played domestically. Despite this position, the European governing body also approved the La Liga match between Barcelona and Villarreal to be held in Miami.
Reasons for the Milan-Como Match in Australia
Given the negative reaction from Italian supporters to the decision to play Milan vs. Como in Australia, FC Como has decided to release an official statement clarifying its position on the matter.
The statement hints that this decision is for “the greater good” of the club and for “the survival of the league.” Como also cited the broadcast revenues of the Premier League and the significant disparity with other top European leagues as a key reason for playing the Milan match abroad.
If approved by FIFA, Como 1907 will travel to Perth, Australia this February to face AC Milan, participating in a shared mission to make Serie A the subject of world football discussion once again, and to secure a more stable future for every club representing Serie A.
We understand that this journey may demand sacrifices in convenience, comfort, and routine. Yet sometimes sacrifice is essential, not for individual benefit but for the greater good, for growth, and above all, for the survival of the league itself.
We have all witnessed what happens when a league fails to evolve. In France, the collapse of the domestic broadcasting deal plunged clubs into turmoil, leaving players unpaid and fans disheartened. French football is still struggling to recover from that setback.
Meanwhile, the Premier League continues to dominate the global stage. Its latest broadcasting agreements are valued at over £12 billion for the next cycle from 2025 to 2029, including £6.7 billion from UK domestic rights and approximately £6.5 billion from international deals. For the first time, its overseas income now surpasses its domestic rights.
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 15, 2025: Christian Pulisic of AC Milan challenged by Gabriel Strefezza and Lucas Da Cunha of Como during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Como at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MAY 25, 2025: A detailed view of the Premier League trophy, adorned with red ribbons, prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
In comparison, Serie A’s domestic TV deal is estimated at approximately €900 million per year, and its international rights generate less than ten percent of what the Premier League earns abroad. This imbalance grants English clubs an enormous financial advantage, enabling them to retain their stars, attract top talent, and expand their global influence.
We must honestly ask ourselves how we can keep our best players, build competitive teams, and attract the world’s elite to Serie A if we do not adapt. This is not a matter of greed. Most clubs in Italy are not profitable. It is about ensuring survival and building a future where Serie A remains competitive, respected, and globally admired.
Our goal is clear. We want to restore Serie A to the glory it enjoyed in the 1990s, when Italian football was the most watched, most respected, and most loved league in the world. To achieve this, we must evolve, unite, and make Serie A the subject of global conversation again.
Just as we proudly represented Italian football at The Soccer Tournament (TST) in the United States, we now carry that same mission to Perth. This is not merely a match. It is a statement of intent, a movement aimed at reconnecting the world with the beauty, culture, and passion of Italian football.
And we want you to be a part of it. We are inviting 50 fans to join us on this journey to Australia to stand beside us as ambassadors of Como 1907 and Serie A. Together, we will show the world what Italian football truly represents: heritage, heart, and hope for the future.
Together we stand. Together we rise. Together we survive.
