Maignan backs up Rabiot in Milan-Como dispute: ‘I totally agree with him’ – Football Italia

Mike Maignan has stuck by his club and international colleague Adrien Rabiot, who took a stance against the Milan vs. Como Serie A match being played in Australia this February: ‘I totally agree with him’. 

Milan players continue to stand against Como match being played in Australia

At the beginning of last week, UEFA confirmed that they have granted one-off permission for the Serie A match between Milan and Como, scheduled for February 8, 2026, to be played in Perth, Australia. 

The game was originally meant to be played in San Siro, but the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza will be occupied with preparations for the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics on that date. 

The decision to play the match abroad has been met with some backlash from supporters in Italy. Some players have also taken a stance against the game being played abroad, let alone in Australia. 

Rabiot was the first of the Milan squad to make a public comment on the matter, claiming that the decision was taken purely for financial reasons and that the matter is ‘over our heads’. 

Rabiot’s remarks, in turn, drew a response from Lega Serie A CEO Luigi De Siervo, who told the Frenchman to ‘have more respect for the money he earns and be more accommodating towards his employer’.

Maignan, on media duty with the France national team, has since had his say on the matter, and has stuck by his Milan and international teammate. 

“I totally agree with him. I don’t understand why we’re playing abroad,” Maignan said (via Sky Sport Italia). 

“It’s a game in the Italian league, it should have been played at home. Now we ‘lose’ a home game. 

“We have ambitious goals, we can’t leave anything to chance. It’s crazy to travel so many miles to play a match between two Italian teams. There’s been a lot of talk about schedules and players’ wellbeing. But as always, we have to adapt.”