Abodi weighs in on Milan-Como in Australia: ‘Fans not taken into account’

The Italian minister for sport, Andrea Abodi, has had his say on the proposal to play the Serie A match between Milan and Como in Perth, Australia in February, suggesting that there was a ‘lack of respect’ for the supporters and that fan opinions ‘were not taken into account’. 

The Lega Serie A have set plans in motion to play the Serie A match between Milan and Como, originally scheduled for February 8, in Perth Australia. 

The game will not be able to take place in San Siro, as the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza will be occupied with preparations for the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics over that weekend. 

In their search for a new venue, the Lega Serie A have decided to play the match in Australia. UEFA has given its approval, as have the Australian FA, but final go-ahead from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and from FIFA is still required before the game can go be played down under. 

The decision to play the game so far away from home has drawn criticism from a number of supporters, and from a handful of players and coaches as well. 

Abodi has recently had his say on the matter. While he thinks there could be positive aspects from the game being played in Australia, he also feels that the opinions of supporters were not taken into consideration. 

“Everyone has their thoughts, I think the league made their decision based on what was possible, and I think we need to look for the positive aspects as well,” Abodi said (via TMW). 

“Of course, there is a lack of respect for the fans because clubs should play in front of their own supporters, they make a big sacrifice, not only economically. I think what the fans are complaining about is the fact that they were not taken into account,” he concluded.