Como release official statement on Milan match in Australia: ‘For the greater good’ | OneFootball

Como have released an official statement regarding the controversial decision to play the Serie A match against Milan in Perth, Australia in a few months’ time, claiming that ‘sometimes, sacrifice is necessary’ and suggesting that the game will be for the ‘greater good’ of the league.

Earlier this year, Milan and Como requested that their Serie A match, scheduled for February 8, 2026, be played in Australia. The Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in San Siro, which should have hosted the match, will be in use for the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics on that particular date.

At the beginning of the week, UEFA confirmed that they have given one-off permission for the Milan-Como match to be played in Australia, but have maintained their stance that league fixtures should always be played domestically where possible. Despite that stance, the European governing body has also granted permission for the Barcelona vs. Villarreal match in LaLiga to be played in Miami.

What Como said about Milan match being played in Australia

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 15: Christian Pulisic of AC Milan is challenged by Gabriel Strefezza and Lucas Da Cunha of Como during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Como at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on March 15, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Given that the decision to play Milan vs. Como in Australia has been met with some backlash from supporters in Italy, Como have decided to release an official statement clarifying their stance on the matter.

They hinted that the decision is for the ‘greater good’ of the club and for the ‘survival of the league’. Como also used the Premier League’s broadcast revenues and the disparity with the rest of Europe’s top-flight leagues as another reason to play the Milan match abroad.

“If approved by the FIFA, Como 1907 will travel to Perth, Australia this February to face AC Milan, taking part in a shared mission to make Serie A the conversation of world football once again, and to secure a stronger future for every club that represents Serie A,” Como’s statement read.

“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 seen what happens when a league fails to evolve. In France, the collapse of the domestic broadcasting deal left clubs in turmoil, 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 worth over £12 billion for the next cycle from 2025 to 2029, including £6.7 billion from UK domestic rights and around £6.5 billion from international deals. For the first time, its overseas income is now worth more than its domestic rights.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MAY 25: A detailed view of the Premier League trophy, dressed in red ribbons, prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield on May 25, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

“By comparison, Serie A’s domestic TV deal is valued at about €900 million per year, and its international rights generate less than ten percent of what the Premier League earns abroad. This imbalance gives English clubs an enormous financial advantage, allowing them to keep their stars, attract the best talent, and expand their global influence.

“We must ask ourselves honestly how we can retain 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 that, we must evolve, unite, and make Serie A the talk around the globe 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 just a match. It is a statement of intent, a movement to reconnect the world with the beauty, culture, and passion of Italian football.

“And we want you to be 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.”