Serie A Cancels Milan-Como Match in Perth, Australia

Plans to host a historic Serie A match between AC Milan and Como at Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia, on February 8, 2026, have been scrapped following the imposition of stringent conditions by international football governing bodies.

Western Australia's Sports Minister Rita Saffioti announced the cancellation on Monday, confirming that the state government and Serie A had mutually agreed not to proceed. The fixture, which would have marked the first European domestic league game for competitive points played outside the continent, fell through due to financial risks and last-minute complications beyond the parties' control. While UEFA had reluctantly approved the match in October after endorsements from Serie A's 20 clubs and the Italian Football Federation, the Asian Football Confederation introduced unacceptable demands that made it unfeasible.

Serie A President Ezio Simonelli attributed the collapse to an escalation of requests from the AFC in recent hours, directed at the Australian federation, the Western Australian government, and the league itself. "It has become impossible to play the Milan-Como match in Perth on 8 February," Simonelli said, expressing regret over the...