Milan vs. Como played in Australia, De Siervo hits back at Rabiot: ‘Respect the money’ you earn | OneFootball

Lega Serie A CEO hits back at Adrien Rabiot, who labelled as ‘crazy’ the decision to play Milan-Como in Australia: ‘He should have more respect for the money he earns.’

Lega Serie A CEO De Siervo replied to Milan midfielder Rabiot, who had criticised the decision to play a Serie A game between the Rossoneri and Como in Australia.

UEFA has allowed the game to be played overseas in February 2026, when the Stadio Meazza will be occupied by preparations for the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.

Lega Serie A CEO hits back at Rabiot

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 14: Adrien Rabiot of AC Milan reacts during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Bologna FC 1909 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“Rabiot forges, like all footballers who earn millions of euros, that they are paid to perform a job, that is to play football,” De Siervo told reporters after a Lega Serie A meeting on Wednesday, via La Repubblica.

“He should have more respect for the money he earns and be more accommodating towards his employer, Milan, who agreed and pushed for this match to be played abroad.”

De Siervo insisted that Lega Serie A takes care of players’ health, despite recent criticism.

“It’s a key element; we are fighting for this to make sense,” he added.

“We are talking about something complicated, but not impossible. We are trying to do it in a spirit of harmony, especially if it’s seen as an exceptional event.

De Siervo: ‘It’s a sacrifice that can be made’

ROME, ITALY – MAY 14: Luigi De Siervo attends during the A-Words at Ara Pacis on May 14, 2019 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images for Lega Serie A)

“The organisational challenge is complex, the flight hours are many, but they’ll be travelling business class to the other side of he world, something teams do regularly. Top-level players, whose salaries reflect the effort they put in, should understand better that anyone that this is a sacrifice that can be made.”

Rabiot returned to Serie A in the summer transfer window, reuniting with his former Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri at Milan.

The France international has scored 18 goals in 161 appearances in Italy’s top-flight, and his contract at San Siro expires in June 2028.