In a bold move that promised to make history, Perth’s bid to host a Serie A match for points has been thwarted by bureaucratic hurdles, leaving sports fans and officials in Western Australia disappointed. The attempt to bring AC Milan and Como to Optus Stadium on February 8 was initially met with enthusiasm, but ultimately succumbed to a complex web of regulations and approvals.
The idea, which emerged in June, was to stage a landmark European league match on foreign soil, a feat never before accomplished. While the proposal initially faced skepticism from traditionalists in Europe, it gained traction after receiving tentative approvals from Serie A clubs and UEFA by October. However, UEFA’s approval came with a caveat, as they “reluctantly” agreed to the match, signaling potential challenges ahead.
The Bureaucratic Maze
The path to hosting the match was fraught with regulatory demands, particularly from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), which insisted on Asian referees and refused to recognize the game as an official Serie A match. These stipulations posed significant risks, including financial penalties, which Western Australia deemed “unacceptable.”
Efforts to secure exemptions were unsuccessful, and by December, the collapse of the event was evident. Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti expressed frustration, stating, “There wasn’t a will from particular bodies to make this work.”
Comparisons with Other Sports
Unlike football, other sports have successfully staged matches overseas. The NFL, for instance, has held games in the UK, Mexico, Germany, and other countries, with Melbourne set to host the Los Angeles Rams next year. However, the intricate governance structure of world football, involving multiple bodies like FIFA, UEFA, and the AFC, complicates such endeavors.
Despite repeated inquiries from 9 News Perth, FIFA remained silent on the matter, offering neither on-record comments nor off-record insights, while the AFC ignored questions altogether. UEFA’s four-month deliberation period further exemplified the bureaucratic challenges.
Future Prospects
Despite the setback, the Western Australian government remains undeterred. Deputy Premier Saffioti has vowed to continue pursuing major sporting events for the region. AC Milan, which has previously played friendlies in Perth, is reportedly eager to return to Australia, though no specific plans are currently in place.
As for the AC Milan vs. Como match, it is expected to be rescheduled in Italy, as the San Siro Stadium is unavailable on February 8 due to the Winter Olympics. The missed opportunity in Perth highlights the complexities of hosting international football matches, but also underscores the region’s determination to remain a player on the global sports stage.
