Como Advocates for Serie A's Survival Amid Premier League Dominance
The Italian club Como has emphasized that "sacrifice is essential" to ensure the "survival" of Serie A in light of the financial supremacy of the Premier League, as they move forward with plans to face AC Milan in Perth, Australia.
This month, UEFA "reluctantly" approved the February fixture between the two teams taking place outside Italy, citing the absence of a legal framework to prevent it.
Similarly, Spanish La Liga clubs Villarreal and Barcelona are scheduled to meet in Miami this December, having also received permission from European football's governing body.
In a detailed statement, Como argued for the relocation of the match to Australia, highlighting that Serie A's domestic broadcast deal is valued at £780 million annually.
In contrast, the Premier League is set to receive £12 billion for the rights cycle from 2025 to 2029, which Como claims will allow it to "dominate the global stage."
Como expressed that this financial "imbalance" grants English football an "enormous advantage" and insisted that the decision to host the match abroad is "not a matter of greed."
"We understand that this journey may demand sacrifices in convenience, comfort, and routine," Como stated. "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."
They further noted, "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."
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin previously described the decision to permit European league matches to be played abroad as "regrettable" and maintained that it "will not set a precedent."
The Football Supporters Europe (FSE) federation criticized the plans during discussions at a UEFA meeting last month, asserting that European football "belongs in our stadiums, cities, and communities" and that "one domestic match abroad is one too many."
Como, which plans to invite 50 fans to accompany them on their journey to Australia, believes this overseas fixture is vital to rekindle interest in Italy's top football league.
"We aim to restore Serie A to the glory it enjoyed in the 1990s, when Italian football was the most watched, respected, and beloved league in the world," Como added. "To achieve that, we must evolve, unite, and make Serie A the talk of the globe again."