The state government has doubled down on its plan to bring European football heavyweights AC Milan to Perth to play a historic Italian league game, despite significant backlash from fans and players.
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) earlier this month agreed to allow a regular Serie A match between Milan and Como to be held in Perth in February.
The event is waiting for a final sign-off, and, if approved, it would be the first time a major European league has hosted a game for points outside its home region.
Adrien Rabiot is one of the AC Milan’s biggest stars.
European football’s governing body also green-lit plans for Barcelona and Villarreal to play their December Spanish league clash in Miami.
Reaction to the move has been mixed, with players refusing to move for the first 15 seconds of matches at the weekend in protest, and some fans staging walkouts.
Spain’s LaLiga has subsequently scrapped the Miami event.
A protest against a similar match outsourced to Miami took place at a recent game in Spain, with fans purposely leaving seats empty. (Supplied)
In a statement, the Spanish league said it deeply regretted the decision to pull the plug, but its hand was forced “due to the uncertainty that has arisen in Spain over the past few weeks”.
The about-face has prompted speculation that Italy’s Serie A could have a similar change of heart regarding the match at Perth Stadium in February, as fury builds at the sale of the in-season match.
Several Serie A players have already spoken out, with AC Milan’s own midfielder Adrien Rabiot quick to label the plan “absurd”.
Meanwhile, a photo taken at a recent league game in Italy shows fans holding a sign appearing to protest the move.
‘We’re very confident’
However, WA Deputy Premier and Sports Minister Rita Saffioti said the Italian league had provided assurance it would not follow La Liga’s suit.
“We’ve had some very supportive comments overnight from the Italian league, so we’re very confident,” she said.
Rita Saffioti says she’s confident the game will go ahead despite fan and player backlash. (Facebook: Rita Saffioti)
“We’re waiting for the Asian Football Confederation to sanction. Basically, every 10 minutes I’m checking my phone, so it should happen in the next week, next few days, but that’s what we’re waiting on.”
World governing body FIFA and Football Australia will also need to sign off on it.
Premier Roger Cook announced the deal earlier this month, heaping praise on Ms Saffioti for helping secure the arrangement following a trip to Italy in August.
Serie A chief executive Luigi De Siervo has so far stood behind the decision, cutting down players who have spoken out.
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