Serie A hits back at EU official in row over match set to be held in Australia

Italy’s Serie A is defending its decision to hold a regular season match in Australia after sharp criticism from a top European Union official. The Italian football federation had given approval for AC Milan and Como to play in Perth in February, while Milan’s San Siro stadium will be unavailable because of the Winter Olympics. The proposal is still subject to the approval of FIFA and UEFA, but it has already attracted significant backlash.

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EU Sports Commissioner Glenn Micallef strongly opposed the move, calling it a betrayal of loyal fans who support their clubs week after week in Europe. In a statement shared on social media, Micallef insisted that European competitions must remain on the continent and that moving matches abroad undermines the relationship between clubs and their local communities. His words added to a broader debate, especially with Spanish clubs Villarreal and Barcelona also considering playing a La Liga match in Miami. The Commissioner described these efforts as disappointing and said they were not acts of innovation but signs of clubs prioritising global marketing over tradition and fan loyalty. His remarks have intensified the discussion around where the future of football truly lies.

Serie A rejected the EU Commissioner’s criticism, calling his words excessive and misleading. In an official statement, the Italian league said it was “astonished” by his remarks and argued that he underestimated the importance of expanding football to new audiences. According to Serie A, holding one match abroad does not mean abandoning its traditions or exporting the entire league but rather offering the world a closer look at Italian football.

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The league also pointed out that the Milan and Como fans being asked to make a small sacrifice would ultimately benefit in the long term. By taking Italian football to international audiences, Serie A hopes to raise its visibility, increase popularity, and strengthen its global brand. The organisation argued that the move should be seen as a strategic effort to grow Italian football beyond Europe, not as an insult to its domestic supporters. Officials stressed that only one of the 380 league matches is being played abroad and that this does not undermine the integrity of the competition. Serie A concluded that such initiatives are necessary for the league to remain competitive and relevant on the global stage, rejecting the notion that it was betraying its core fans.

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