Milan and Barcelona to play abroad: Spanish Footballers protest after Rabiot | OneFootball

Adrien Rabiot said the decision to play Milan-Como in Australia in February is ‘mad’, but the Frenchman doesn’t seem to be the only one unhappy, as the Spanish Association of Footballers has also raised concerns over Villarreal-Barcelona to be played in Miami.

UEFA has approved Milan and Como’s Serie A clash to be held in Australia in February 2026, while also greenlighting Villarreal and Barcelona’s La Liga encounter in Miami on December 20, 2025.

Rabiot: ‘Mad’ to play Milan vs. Como in Australia

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 23: Adrien Rabiot of AC Milan is pursued by Mohamed Kaba Drame of US Lecce during the Coppa Italia Frecciarossa Round of 16 match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 23, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)

Milan midfielder Rabiot was among the critics of the decision, saying that playing so far away from home was “completely mad”, but Lega Serie A CEO Luigi De Siervo urged the Frenchman to accept the decision and “respect the money” he earns.

It is safe to say that many share the same feelings as Rabiot, as according to MARCA, the Spanish Association of Footballers (AFE) has requested an urgent meeting with Villarreal, Barcelona and La Liga representatives to know the exact details and plans behind the trip to Miami in December.

Spanish footballers join protest

VALLADOLID, SPAIN – MAY 13: Arthur Melo of Girona FC takes a corner kick during the LaLiga match between Real Valladolid CF and Girona FC at Jose Zorrilla on May 13, 2025 in Valladolid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

AFE had asked UEFA to be involved in talks before the decision was taken, but their request was ignored.

“Playing a domestic league game outside the national borders involves changes at a sporting level and in relations to their rights as workers,” AFE said in a statement.

“For this reason, we believe that such a project requires consensus and prior agreement with all the football stakeholders, especially with the main protagonists, the footballers.”