Cancellation of LaLiga Game in Miami Sparks Controversy
Samuel Marsden provides insights on LaLiga’s choice to cancel the anticipated match between Barcelona and Villarreal in Miami, which faced significant pushback from players and clubs. The game was called off due to concerns raised by various stakeholders.
Date: October 23, 2025, 01:12 AM ET
The state government of Western Australia is steadfast that Perth will host a Serie A fixture featuring AC Milan against Como next year. This announcement follows the cancellation of the aforementioned LaLiga match in the United States.
As the San Siro will be unavailable during the Winter Olympics, Italy’s football governing body, FIGC, has authorized the Rossoneri to host the match against Como in Perth on February 6, calling it a “historic” opportunity to bring Serie A to Australia.
Earlier this month, UEFA reluctantly approved not just the match between Barcelona and Villarreal in Miami but also the Serie A clash. However, in light of the negative reaction in Spain, LaLiga announced on Tuesday that it would cancel its planned game, citing the “uncertainty” caused by the protests surrounding the event.
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There are no updates regarding Serie A’s efforts to stage a game in Australia, yet the Western Australian officials are optimistic that the event will occur as planned.
Rita Saffioti, the deputy premier of Western Australia and the minister for sport and recreation, expressed confidence in making Serie A’s Australian debut a reality with support from Football Australia and both teams. “Following the successful visits by AC Milan and AS Roma, it is clear that European football enjoys a substantial following in WA,” she remarked.
While UEFA has signaled its approval, the event still requires clearance from FIFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and local federation Football Australia before it can proceed officially.
Saffioti flew to Italy to help finalize arrangements for the Perth game and conveyed that she expects these approvals to arrive soon. “We’ve received supportive feedback from the Italian league, and I’m checking in frequently for updates,” she noted. “I anticipate that things will progress swiftly in the coming days.”
AC Milan has visited West Australia twice, most recently playing a friendly against Roma in 2024, and also against local team Perth Glory earlier this year. These matches reflect a broader investment strategy by the West Australian government in sports and major events. The city will host several significant sports, including the Women’s Asian Cup and State of Origin in the AFL, while also planning upcoming UFC and WWE events.
The plan to host a Serie A clash has faced criticism. AC Milan midfielder Adrien Rabiot described it as “completely crazy,” while the Football Supporters Association Australia and Football Supporters Europe stated that “domestic league fixtures are intrinsically linked to their home territories” and expressed concerns about the impact on local competitions.
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