The state government has stepped up its efforts to bring European football heavyweights AC Milan to Perth to play a historic Italian championship match, despite significant backlash from fans and players.
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) agreed earlier this month to allow a regular Serie A match between Milan and Como to take place in Perth in February.
The event is awaiting final approval and, if approved, it would be the first time a major European league has hosted a points match outside of its home region.
Adrien Rabiot is one of AC Milan’s biggest stars.
European football’s governing body has also given the green light to the idea of ​​Barcelona and Villarreal playing their Spanish league clash in December in Miami.
Reactions to the decision were mixed, with players refusing to move for the first 15 seconds of the weekend’s matches in protest and some fans staging walkouts.
The Spanish La Liga subsequently canceled the Miami event.
A protest against a similar crowdsourced match in Miami took place at a recent match in Spain, with fans intentionally leaving seats empty. (Provided: Rahul Lakhani / LaLiga London)
In a statement, the Spanish league said it deeply regretted the decision to pull the plug, but it forced its hand “due to the uncertainty that has emerged in Spain in recent weeks.”
The about-face has sparked speculation that Italy’s Serie A could experience a similar change of heart regarding the game at Perth Stadium in February, as furor mounts over the sale of the match of the season.
Several Serie A players have already spoken out, with AC Milan midfielder Adrien Rabiot quick to describe the project as “absurd”.
Meanwhile, a photo taken during a recent league match in Italy shows fans holding a sign appearing to protest the decision.
“We are very confident”
However, WA Deputy Premier and Sports Minister Rita Saffioti said the Italian league had assured it would not follow La Liga’s lead.
“We have received very encouraging feedback from the Italian championship, so we are very confident,” she said.
Rita Saffioti says she is confident the match will go ahead despite negative reactions from fans and players. (Facebook: Rita Saffioti)
“We’re waiting for the sanction from the Asian Football Confederation. Basically every 10 minutes I check my phone, so it should happen next week, in the next few days, but that’s what we’re waiting for.”
World governing body FIFA and Football Australia will also have to approve it.
Prime Minister Roger Cook announced the deal earlier this month, praising Ms Saffioti for helping to secure the deal after a trip to Italy in August.
Serie A chief executive Luigi De Siervo has so far supported the decision, removing players who spoke out.
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