Milan-Como in Australia, De Siervo’s harsh retort to Rabiot inflames debate

The debate related to the decision to have Milan-Como played next February in Australia, a decision endorsed (albeit reluctantly, in the absence of specific regulations) by UEFA and taking into account the’intention to explore new markets by Lega Serie A, taking advantage of the ’unavailability of the ‘Meazza’ busy hosting the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games.

Adrien Rabiot, a footballer for one of the two clubs involved, Milan, called in no uncertain terms “crazy”, in a negative sense, the decision to travel all the way to Perth, a city some 13,700 kilometers away from Milan by air. The retort of Lega Serie A CEO Luigi De Siervo, however, was not long in coming: “Rabiot has forgotten that he is paid millions to play football” the executive remarked on the sidelines of the League’s assembly held on Wednesday.

“He should have more respect for the amounts he earns and pander to his employer, AC Milan– De Siervo added. The same club accepted the proposal to play abroad and pushed in that direction. What lies ahead is a complicated challenge, there are many hours of flight time but you will be traveling in business class from the’other side of the world, top players must understand that it is a sacrifice commensurate with their earnings”.

The confrontation among fans is heated and, as often happens when the theater of discussion is the Web, polarized: on the one hand, those who consider it unfair to take away the opportunity for fans, especially local ones, to watch a live game of their favorite team, on the other hand, those who applaud the initiative, citing as virtuous examples those of the American professional leagues (NBA, NFL, NHL and MLB) that at least once a year, if not more, play regual season games in Europe. What is certain is that the debate is set to continue in the coming weeks.