Lega Serie A hit back at ‘betrayal’ accusation from EU Commissioner over Milan vs. Como abroad

The ball of Italian Serie A is pictured before the Italian Serie A football match between Juventus and Atalanta at the Allianz Stadium in Turin on March 10, 2024. (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO / AFP) (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)

The Lega Serie A responded that it was ‘astonished’ by the condemnation of European Commissioner Glenn Micaellef, who called plans to play Milan vs. Como abroad ‘a betrayal.’

The row erupted when Micallef, the European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, lashed out at the growing attempts from domestic leagues to play fixtures abroad.

It is not just Serie A who pushed this idea into action with Milan vs. Como, which may well be played in Perth, Australia, in February 2026.

LaLiga are getting in on the act too, with Barcelona and Villarreal planning to face off at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami in December 2025.

FIFA, UEFA, Football Australia and the Asian Football Confederation are yet to give the all clear to these plans.

EU Commissioner promises to fight Serie A plans

Micallef protested on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“I’m deeply disappointed by proposals to stage domestic league matches outside Europe,” he wrote.

“Today I spoke with Ronan Evain of Football Supporters Europe to express my solidarity and make clear that I will stand with football fans, especially in Spain and Italy.

“At the EU Sport Forum in Krakow, I promised that fans would be fully included in discussions on sport and governance. To me it’s clear: European competitions must be played in Europe. European football must stay in Europe.

“As Commissioner and as a lifelong football fan, I believe that clubs owe most of their success to their loyal fans and local communities.

“This is the first big stress test for governance since the Super League. Strong, community-based clubs are the heart of the European Sport Model.

“Moving competitions abroad isn’t innovation, it’s betrayal.”

With that in mind, the Lega Serie A’s English language account on the same social media platform issued a response this evening.

“Lega Serie A is astonished by the words of European Commissioner Glenn Micallef, whose comments seem to underestimate the complexity and strategic value of initiatives aimed at promoting Italian football on a global scale, along the lines of what leagues such as the NBA and NFL are already doing by playing matches in Europe.

“To speak of betrayal for a single match, out of a total of 380 Serie A matches, seems an excessive position, which risks fuelling a populist debate, far from a constructive and modern vision of sport.

“Taking a match abroad does not mean exporting the championship, but rather introducing new audiences to the excellence of Italian football, strengthening the competitiveness of the system and generating resources that have a positive impact on the entire movement, including at youth and amateur level, in return for a small sacrifice required of the Milan and Como fans, who will nevertheless benefit in terms of increased visibility and popularity worldwide.

“Serie A will continue to work to combine local roots with international openness, fully aware of its role in promoting Italian football.”