Maignan SLAMS Uefa decision with Chelsea move on the cards

AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan has joined teammate Adrien Rabiot in slamming the decision to play Serie A matches abroad.

There was huge controversy last week when UEFA announced that – for the first time in history – they had given the green light for two domestic matches to be played outside of their country.

The two matches in question are Villarreal versus Barcelona in La Liga, which will be held in Miami in December, and Serie A’s AC Milan vs Como in Perth, Australia in February.

Maignan slams decision to play games abroad

And Rabiot has already called the decision to play these games abroad “completely mad”, highlighting how footballers already play too many games and have a packed calendar.

And he has now been supported by Milan teammamte Maignan in blasting the decision.

“I totally agree with him. I don’t understand why we’re playing abroad,” Maignan said.

“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.”

Maignan is expected to leave Milan in 2026 as his contract expires at the end of the season and there is little chance of a renewal.

His most likely destination is considered to be Chelsea, who tried to sign him this summer and had agreed personal terms with the goalkeeper.

Chelsea are expected to return with a new move in the new year.

Milan are open to sell at a cut price in January, otherwise Maignan will leave on a free transfer in July.

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