The West Australian government remains adamant that Perth will host a Serie A match between AC Milan and Como next year, despite the cancellation of a planned fixture between Barcelona and Villarreal in the United States.

With the San Siro set to be unavailable due to the Winter Olympics, Italy’s football federation (FIGC) gave the green light for the Rossoneri to stage its Feb. 6 clash with Como in Perth in July, describing the opportunity to bring a Serie A fixture to Australia as “historic.”

UEFA “reluctantly” gave its approval for the fixture, as well as a LaLiga game between Barcelona and Villarreal in Miami, earlier this month. However, following widespread backlash in Spain, LaLiga announced on Tuesday that it had cancelled its planned fixture, citing the “uncertainty” generated by the protests.

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No such announcement, though, has been made on Serie A’s attempts to bring a game Down Under, and the West Australian government remains confident that the game will go ahead as planned.

“The WA Government is committed to bringing Serie A to Australia for the first time and we’re confident in the support shown by Football Australia, both teams and Serie A to date, as we await sign off from the AFC and FIFA to make this a reality,” Rita Saffioti, who serves as West Australia’s deputy premier in addition to being its minister for sport and recreation, told ESPN in a statement.

“Following the success of AC Milan’s recent visit to Perth for their preseason, we saw how successful the friendlies were for AC Milan and AS Roma, and we know that European football has a huge following in WA.”

While UEFA has given its approval for the fixture to proceed, it also requires the assent of FIFA, the Asian Football Confederation, of which Australia is a member, and local federation Football Australia, before it can be officially approved and contracts signed.

Speaking to West Australian media on Wednesday morning, Saffioti, who flew to Italy to help seal the deal to bring a game to Perth, indicated that she believed those approvals to be imminent.

“We’ve had some very supportive comments [on Tuesday] from the Italian league, so we’re very confident,” she said. “Every hour I’m checking my phone, or basically every 10 minutes I’m checking my phone.

“It should happen in the next week, next few days, but that’s why we’re waiting.”

Milan has twice previously toured West Australia in recent years, playing a friendly with Roma in 2024 and local A-League Men outfit Perth Glory earlier this year.

These visits have been part of a significant investment by the West Australian government in sport and major events. Perth is set to be one of the three host cities for next year’s Women’s Asian Cup, it will stage the return of State of Origin in the AFL, and is partnering with TKO to bring multiple UFC and WWE events to the city.

But the plan to host a Serie A game, something Como has declared is about “ensuring survival” for Serie A, has been controversial with Milan midfielder Adrien Rabiot labelling the move “completely crazy.”

Football Supporters Association Australia has joined opposition to the game with Football Supporters Europe, declaring “domestic league fixtures are intrinsically linked to their home territories” and raising concerns over its potential impact on the local A-League Men’s and Women’s competitions.

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen is a potential loan option for Chelsea, while the Catalan club are closely monitoring the situation of Atletico Madrid striker Julián Álvarez. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.

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TOP STORIES

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TRENDING RUMORS

– Chelsea are continuing to explore the market for a goalkeeper, with Barcelona‘s Marc-André ter Stegen a potential option on loan. TEAMtalk reports that a move in January for the 33-year-old is a possibility, but competition from clubs across Europe, as well as his hefty salary, could make the deal difficult to secure. The Blues are also reportedly keen on AC Milan‘s Mike Maignan, who could be brought to Stamford Bridge next summer on a permanent deal after the club previously looked at him in January.

– Barcelona are “closely monitoring” the situation of Atletico Madrid striker Julián Álvarez, according to Sport. The 25-year-old is reported to be weighing up his options at the Wanda Metropolitano, with plans to look to leave the club if they fail to win any silverware this season. Despite having a release clause in his contract worth €500 million, Atleti could have no choice but to discuss a deal if Alvarez decides that he wants to move on. This season, the Argentina international has scored seven goals while assisting another three in 11 games across all competitions.

– A move for Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee is being prepared by West Ham United, according to iNews. It is reported that the Hammers want to secure a January loan move for the 24-year-old, who is yet to make a single start this season. But, despite the Red Devils being reluctant to part ways with the Netherlands international amid plans to block squad outgoings in the next transfer window, it is reported that he will look at his options with hopes of playing more ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

– Clubs in Saudi Arabia remain interested in AC Milan winger Rafael Leão, reports Gazzetta dello Sport. The report claims that teams have indicated they would be willing to make an offer to sign the 26-year-old for a fee worth €80 million, but whether the Rossoneri decide to part ways with him will hinge on how he performs for the rest of the season. The Portugal international scored twice to help Milan to a 2-1 Serie A win over Fiorentina on Saturday.

– Aston Villa and Newcastle are among the teams looking at FC Porto striker Samu Aghehowa, according to A Bola. It is reported that clubs in the Premier League “remain vigilant” on the 21-year-old’s situation, with Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur also linked. Samu is contracted with the Portuguese club until the summer of 2029, but has a release clause in his deal that allows him to be signed for €100 million.

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OTHER RUMORS

– Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba has affirmed his commitment to the Seagulls, who would ask for a £120 million fee to let him go, despite interest from Manchester United. While United have also been linked with VfB Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller. (Sun)

– Real Madrid defender David Alaba, 33, is hopeful of being offered a new contract to stay at the Bernabeu despite his injury record and age. (Florian Plettenberg)

– An offer worth €50 million would be required for Inter Milan to consider parting ways with striker Marcus Thuram. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

– Barcelona are willing to sign on-loan Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford for his €30 million permanent clause if he continues his current form. (Fabrizio Romano)

– A new two-year contract extension could be proposed to Bayern Munich winger Serge Gnabry. (Christian Falk)

– Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are competing to sign AS Trencin and Nigeria winger Sani Suleiman, 19. (TEAMtalk)

– Newcastle are considering joining the race to sign Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson. (iNews)

– Chelsea turned down an approach from Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah for midfielder Andrey Santos in the summer. (Fabrizio Romano)

– Serie A clubs are keeping tabs on PSV Eindhoven midfielder Jerdy Schouten. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

– Everton are confident of reaching an agreement over a new contract with midfielder James Garner. (TEAMtalk)

– Clubs in the Premier League are looking at Hoffenheim winger Bazoumana Toure. (Florian Plettenberg)

South African spinners wasted no time in taking Pakistan’s last six wickets in their second innings, needing 68 runs to win the second Test and level series on the fourth day of the match being played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday,

Resuming on 94 runs for four wickets, the Pakistani team was bundled out for 138 runs about an hour before lunch. Hosts Pakistan were dismantled by off-spinner Simon Harmer, who finished with figures of 6-50 on a deteriorating Rawalpindi stadium pitch.