UEFA approved the move “reluctantly”, due to global regulatory gaps, but the Frenchman sharply criticized the idea of ​​traveling across continents for domestic matches, calling it “insane”.
French international Rabiot has openly criticized Serie A's unprecedented plan to stage AC Milan's match against Como in Perth, Australia. The star midfielder, who joined Milan in the summer, described the proposal as “completely crazy” and said he was incredulous that two Italian teams were playing a league match almost 14,000 kilometers from home. UEFA has “reluctantly” allowed Serie A and La Liga to stage league matches abroad, while calling the decision “regrettable”. The governing body said the decision was taken “on an exceptional basis, given global regulatory gaps” and “should not set a precedent”.
“Absurd” – Rabiot criticizes the decision
Speaking to Le Figaro, Rabiot said he was “surprised” to learn that February's match between Milan and Como would be played in Australia, questioning the logic of the decision.
“I was surprised to learn that AC Milan and I were going to play a Serie A match against Como… in Australia! It’s absolutely crazy,” he said. “These are financial agreements to give visibility to the championship, things that are beyond us. There is a lot of talk about the schedule and the health of the players, but it all seems really absurd. It's crazy to travel so many kilometers for a match between two Italian teams in Australia. We must adapt, as always. »
UEFA has approved requests from the Italian and Spanish national leagues to stage matches abroad, but has made it clear it does not approve of the concept. President Aleksander Ceferin called the decision “regrettable” and warned that “league matches should be played on home soil.” The ruling was granted due to what UEFA called “global regulatory gaps,” paving the way for final authorization from FIFA.
If confirmed, Milan's match against Como in Perth would mark the first time a European championship regular season match has been played outside the continent. Likewise, the Spanish La Liga hopes to host Villarreal's match against Barcelona in Miami next December.
This historic decision to host Serie A abroad now awaits final approval from FIFA, which could set a new precedent for European domestic championships. While Serie A claims that organizing matches abroad will “ introduce new audiences to the excellence of Italian football”, Italian supporters groups criticized the decision, calling it “absurd and wanton”. UEFA, for its part, maintains that its approval was purely procedural. If the Perth game takes place in February, it will be closely watched, as it will serve as a test case for future global expansions.
From Marseille to Milan
Rabiot also spoke about his departure from Marseille, admitting that this departure still feels like a betrayal.
“I wanted to concentrate only on football, on my first weeks at this new club and in this new life; it was important. Usually I'm not one to express myself much off the field, but in that moment it was really time to concentrate, to refocus fully on football,” he said.
The midfielder, sold after an altercation in the locker room with his former teammate Jonathan Rowe, is now living a new chapter at AC Milan. “ It’s incredible to have experienced all this,” added Rabiot. “I hope to achieve great things in Milan, to win titles, in a historic and legendary club.”
Milan's schedule remains busy, with key Serie A and Champions League fixtures ahead of the planned trip to Australia, and Rabiot's comments have already reignited the debate over player health and the global commercialization of football.
