The ambitious proposal by Lega Serie A to stage a historic league fixture between AC Milan and Como in Perth, Australia, appears to be on the verge of collapse. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has reportedly raised significant objections regarding the authorisation process, leaving the plans for the overseas showdown in serious doubt.

AFPAustralia plan suddenly under threat

Serie A’s pioneering attempt to export competitive domestic football to international markets has hit a major roadblock. The fixture, initially slated for February 2026 at Optus Stadium in Perth, was designed to capitalise on AC Milan’s global popularity and the growing interest in Italian football in the Asia-Pacific region.

The move was necessitated by the unavailability of the San Siro during the Winter Olympics period, forcing the clubs to look for alternative venues. However, despite initial optimism from Lega Serie A and the clubs involved, the project is now hanging by a thread. According to reports from Italy, the AFC – of which Australia is a member – has imposed administrative blocks that have effectively stalled the process.

AC Milan president Paolo Scaroni said in an interview: "One of the ideas we pursued was to go to Australia to promote Italian football, not to make a financial deal that doesn't exist. I haven't given up on this issue yet, but there are so many authorisations to obtain that I'm starting to get worried. If it falls through, it would be a missed opportunity for Serie A, because our goal is to make Serie A attractive around the world. Serie A earns €200 million a year from international TV rights, the Premier League €2.2 billion, and La Liga €700-€800 million, which is explained by the fact that in recent years they've had two great players in Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The gap with the Premier League needs to be filled, but obviously there are many things to do, including new stadiums, because having beautiful, fully-filled stadiums is the foundation for achieving a certain level of television impact. I'm convinced that after San Siro, many other stadiums will be built in Italy."

AdvertisementThe San Siro problem

The driving force behind this venture was not purely commercial but logistical. With the 2026 Winter Olympics taking place in Milan and Cortina, the iconic San Siro is set to be repurposed for the opening ceremony. This renders the stadium unusable for football from February 6 until late in the month.

AC Milan vs Como was scheduled during this window, on the weekend of February 8. The unavailability of their home ground presented the Rossoneri with a unique dilemma: play at a neutral venue in Italy or attempt something ground-breaking. The club, alongside the league, opted for the latter, identifying Perth as the ideal location to showcase the "Made in Italy" brand.

Optus Stadium, a 60,000-seater venue in Western Australia, was selected to host the Lombardy derby. It was seen as a perfect marriage of necessity and opportunity, allowing Milan to engage their massive Australian fanbase while solving a fixture congestion issue.

Getty Images SportThe AFC's red light

However, the plan has encountered a formidable opponent in international football bureaucracy. While FIFA and UEFA were reportedly open to the idea on an exceptional basis given the Olympic constraints, the final hurdle lay with the host confederation.

Reports indicate that the AFC has withheld the necessary "green light" required to sanction an official European league match on its territory. The first major stumbling block is a reported ban on marketing the event as an official Serie A match. The AFC is allegedly insisting that the game cannot be promoted as a competitive league fixture in a way that might overshadow or conflict with the local A-League. This would effectively force the organisers to present a crucial Scudetto or relegation battle as if it were a pre-season friendly, severely damaging the commercial value of the event.

Even more problematic is the demand regarding officiating. The AFC has reportedly stipulated that the referee and their assistants must be from their organisation, rather than the Italian Referees Association (AIA). For a competitive Serie A match involving points that could decide the title or survival, forcing clubs to play under officials who do not operate within the Italian VAR protocols or interpretation guidelines is seen as a compromise on sporting integrity that neither Milan nor Como can accept.

With the Australian dream fading, the clubs are now scrambling for a domestic solution. The match may be delayed until later in February so that it can be played at San Siro as normal.

Echoes of La Liga's Miami failure

The potential collapse of the Perth fixture mirrors the recent failure of La Liga’s own attempt to break the international barrier. Just months ago, the Spanish top flight was forced to abandon plans to stage the Barcelona vs Villarreal match in Miami, Florida.

That initiative, driven by La Liga and promoter Relevent Sports, fell apart due to "insufficient time" to organise the event amidst legal and bureaucratic uncertainty in Spain. Despite receiving similar "reluctant" approval from UEFA to explore the option, the opposition from players' unions, the Spanish FA (RFEF), and the sheer logistical complexity forced a cancellation.

In a statement at the time, La Liga expressed "deep regret" that the project could not go ahead, citing the "uncertainty that has arisen in Spain" as the primary reason for pulling the plug.

It seems Serie A is now learning the same hard lesson: while the desire to globalise European domestic leagues is strong among executives, the governance structures of world football remain a formidable defensive line that is difficult to breach.

The home side’s top order laid a solid foundation during the night session of the pink-ball game

AAP23-Nov-2025Three wickets apiece from Henry Thornton and Ben Manenti gave South Australia the advantage against Western Australia in their Sheffield Shield match.After the opening day of the pink-ball fixture was washed out, SA’s Thornton and Manenti both claimed three wickets as WA struggled to 188 all out on Sunday.South Australia reached 100 for 1 at stumps at Adelaide Oval, with Henry Hunt not out 42 and captain Nathan McSweeney on 33.In WA’s innings, Jayden Goodwin top-scored with a fighting 53 from 106 balls and Cooper Connolly (33) and Aaron Hardie (31) chipped in.But the trio were the only three batters to pass 17 amid a miserly display from SA quick Thornton, who returned superb figures of 3 for 25 from 14 overs.Thornton took the initial two wickets, removing Sam Whiteman and Cameron Bancroft. And when Jordan Buckingham dismissed Hilton Cartwright for 5 which a terrific delivery which took off stump, the visitors were wobbling at 51 for 3 in the 25th over.Spinner Manenti captured three of the next four wickets, including ending an innings-high 68-run partnership between Goodwin and Connolly. The WA duo fell within a three-over span and the visitors lost their last seven wickets for 69 runs.SA openers Hunt and Connor McInerney navigated a dozen overs before WA quick Liam Haskett broke their stand when McInerney edged an outswinger.Skipper McSweeney immediately showed intent by hitting a four from his first ball and was in fine touch, striking three more boundaries in his 56-ball knock and combining with Hunt for an unbroken 67-run partnership.

CSK and KKR are best placed to break the bank for Cameron Green, but a new IPL rule prevents the player from being paid more than INR 18 crore

Nagraj Gollapudi03-Dec-20258:03

Will KKR go all-out to get Cameron Green in?

IPL mini auctions have had record paydays for overseas players in the past, and Cameron Green could take that trend forward come December 16.Green has been tipped to become the most expensive buy at the upcoming IPL auction because both Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who have the highest purses (INR 64.3 crore and INR 43.4 crore respectively), are expected to put in strong bids for the allrounder.In 2023, Mitchell Starc was bought by KKR for INR 24.75 crore, minutes after Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) acquired Pat Cummins for 20.5 crore, making him the first player to breach the INR 20-crore mark at an IPL auction. Those overshadowed the INR 18.5 crore Punjab Kings (PBKS) had bid for Sam Curran in the previous mini auction in 2023.Related

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At the 2023 auction, Green became the second-most expensive buy when Mumbai Indians (MI) had bought him at INR 17.5 crore. MI went on to trade Green to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) a year later for the same price. In his two IPL seasons so far, in 2023 and 2024, Green has played 29 matches, scoring 707 runs at a strike rate of 153.70.He has listed himself at the maximum base price of INR 2 crore for the latest auction.While he could become a millionaire again, it won’t cross INR 20 crore, since the maximum fee cannot exceed INR 18 crore. This will apply even if the bid is higher than that number.That is because of the new “maximum fee” rule that the IPL brought in last year to address the collective concern of franchises that some overseas players were registering exclusively at mini auctions to exploit the supply-demand imbalance. Consequently, the IPL put in the maximum-fee rule where the overseas player cannot be paid more than INR 18 crore, which was the highest slab for franchises retaining players ahead of the 2025 mega auction.Cameron Green winds up for a big hit•BCCI

If the bid exceeded the INR 18-crore mark, the additional money, the IPL said, would be utilised by the BCCI for player welfare. In a note to franchises last year, the IPL said: “Any overseas player’s auction fee at small auction will be lower than the highest retention price [of INR 18 crore] and the highest auction price at the big auction. In case the highest auction price at the big auction is INR 20 crore, then INR 18 crore will be the cap. If the highest auction price at big auction is INR 16 crore, then the cap will be INR 16 crore.”The rule in place going forward is that the auction for the player will continue as normal till the player is sold, and the final auction amount will be charged to the auction purse. “The incremental amount over INR 16 or 18 crore, as the case may be, will be deposited with BCCI. The incremental amount deposited with BCCI will be utilised towards players’ welfare.”The maximum-fee rule, though, will not be applicable to Indian players, who will get the actual bid money, which will be deducted from franchise purse.A total of 77 slots are available to be filled at the auction including 31 for overseas players. There are 16 capped Indian players in the longlist, which will be pruned once franchises submit their final wishlist to the IPL by December 5.

Quite how it has all come to this continues to be debated, but the fact of the matter is that Mohamed Salah could be nearing the end of his glorious spell at Liverpool.

It was just over six months ago that the Egyptian sat atop his throne, Premier League champion for the second time at Anfield and fresh from signing a bumper new deal to end months of speculation.

The main man under Jurgen Klopp, the ex-Chelsea winger appeared to go to an even higher level following Arne Slot’s arrival, ending 2024/25 with a ridiculous tally of 57 goals and assists in all competitions.

Like all good things, however, an end is now in sight, with the 33-year-old’s AFCON involvement, alongside the looming January window, sparking suggestions that he could have already turned out in Red for the final time.

It would not be a fitting way to bow out, yet rarely do even the brightest and best get the send-off nor the finale they deserve. Even the great Steven Gerrard had to fly the nest for MLS to see out his playing days.

Regardless of whether a departure does occur in January or over the summer, Salah appears to have made his long-term future untenable – now to find a suitable replacement…

Latest on Liverpool's search to replace Salah

Rumours are already swirling regarding Salah’s potential next move, with reports last week suggesting that Turkish giants Galatasaray are among the clubs to have made an offer to the ageing sensation.

The Reds are unlikely to receive anywhere close to the reported £200m bid that was lodged from Saudi Arabia two years ago, although there would surely be a hope to cash in for as much as possible, in order to reinvest those funds on a replacement.

There have been continued claims that Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo has been earmarked as one of the more high-profile options to help fill the void, while TEAMtalk are reporting that FSG could also look to the Bundesliga to find their next Anfield star.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Indeed, as per the report, the Merseysiders are accelerating their interest in RB Leipzig teenager, Yan Diomande, having begun negotiations with the 19-year-old’s representatives.

While no bid has yet been placed for the £88m-rated wideman, the piece does note that Liverpool are engaged in almost ‘daily contact’ with his agent, ahead of making what would likely be a summer move.

That’s not to say that a January move is completely ruled out for the in-demand starlet – who is fielding interest from across Europe – with it yet to be seen whether the reigning Premier League champions will firm up their interest with a winter offer.

How Diomande compares to Semenyo & Salah

As stated above, a leading target to replace Salah is, of course, the aforementioned Semenyo, with the Ghanaian available for £65m due to the presence of a release clause in his Cherries contract.

Whether he would represent an alternative or a possible teammate for the 25-year-old remains to be seen, although Diomande is an equally as exciting talent who could reinvigorate Slot’s forward line.

Semenyo has been one of the Premier League’s leading figures this season with nine goals and assists to date, although Diomande has dazzled during his breakthrough year in the Bundesliga, chipping in with eight goal involvements himself for Leipzig.

That includes a stunning hat-trick during the weekend win over Eintracht Frankfurt, a performance that only served to reinforce just why the promising Ivorian is being watched so closely.

Fleet of foot and with pace to burn, the comparisons to Semenyo are also there to see, with The Athletic’s Seb Stafford-Bloor noting that Diomande is “physically similar” to the Bournemouth star, “but with all the same skill and touch”.

Games

13

13

Starts

9

12

Goals

6

4

Assists

2

2

Big chances missed

2

6

Big chances created

2

5

Key passes*

1.0

2.2

Pass accuracy*

82%

75%

Successful dribbles*

2.8

0.8

The respected Bundesliga insider, writing on X back in November, did hint that the teen is “not ready yet” for a Premier League move, although Liverpool would be wise to get ahead in the race for his signature, even if it means waiting to strike next summer.

That said, there’s no reason why he couldn’t come in and hit the ground running in January, if a deal were to be struck, with the youngster currently comparing favourably to his fellow wingers across Europe’s top five leagues.

As per FBref, he ranks in the top 1% for successful take-ons per 90, while also ranking in the top 2% for progressive carries per 90, highlighting just what an elite dribbler and ball-carrier he is.

Semenyo’s own quality in that regard was evident on the opening day, as he ran the length of Anfield unopposed, before coolly converting in that mad-cap 4-2 win for Slot’s side.

The prospect of potentially adding both the ex-Bristol City man and Diomande into the fold in 2026 would be a truly exciting one, with two Semenyo-esque figures perhaps what is needed to provide an upgrade on the flanks.

Revealed: The Salah decision Richard Hughes has made at Liverpool today

Mo Salah has been omitted form the Liverpool squad this week.

3 ByFFC Staff 4 days ago

Back-up spinner, reserve batter or cover for Ben Stokes, Will Jacks ticks boxes for Australia tour

Vithushan Ehantharajah25-Sep-20250:52

What Will Jacks offers the England Ashes squad

It was a selection akin to a movie Easter egg. A nod to preceding works, like a Cornetto or colour-based last names, which in this case was left-field selections.This winter will be three years since Will Jacks’ previous two Test caps, an anniversary he will mark as a member of England’s most optimistic Ashes tour in 15 years. And the thread of selecting a player with just five first-class appearances in the last two summers tethers Jacks to 2024’s selection trilogy of Shoaib Bashir, Josh Hull and Jacob Bethell as unorthodox picks.Much like Jacks, those three were the kind of calls that required a degree of imagination. Squint hard enough at the time and you could see why Bashir was different to other English spinners, that Bethell had the wares to be a world-beater and the value in fast-tracking a tall left-arm quick.That this trio of 21-year-olds will be in Australia this winter – Hull likely to feature on the Lions tour which runs alongside the main group through to Brisbane – speaks of varying degrees of success with hot-housing development through early exposure. Which makes Jacks’ selection that much more intriguing.Related

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He is not really there as England’s second spinner over Rehan Ahmed, even if his knack of coming over and down the ball at six-foot-two carries similarities to Bashir. Nor has he expressly beaten Jordan Cox to the spare batter slot, though he also offers the attacking verve of his international and Oval Invincibles team-mate. Jacks, who turns 27 on the first day of the Ashes, is neither and, yet, both.”I think Jacks goes in as a tactical decision as much as a replacement,” managing director Rob Key said on Wednesday.”You can have a second spinner who’s just there as an out-and-out spinner, who is just going to replace the number one if he goes down. But it’s going to be down to the seamers and batters to get the runs and wickets.”Will Jacks isn’t the finished article as a spinner but he’s someone you might be able to get to hold an end up if we’re thinking spinners aren’t going to be the ones that define the series. It may well be different.”The ability to bat too. We think he’s someone who’s not going to be overawed by the occasion, the extra pace and bounce you get over there. He’s just a really handy option to have for the different conditions we might come up against.”Key’s assertion that Jacks won’t be “overawed” is, ultimately, what got his selection over the line. And it does not just pertain to playing high pace above your waist.Brendon McCullum has been open about “the noise” England should expect in Australia, on and off the field. As much as he will try and insulate them from it, he is all too aware the onus will be on individuals to deal with what pressure comes their way. Jacks, they feel, will not shrink in that environment as others have done.Will Jacks last played a Test in Pakistan three years ago•AFP/Getty ImagesThough Jacks has not been a regular under McCullum, with just two Tests in 2022 against Pakistan and 10 limited-overs matches this year, the 26-year-old has a reputation for fronting up.A sought-after talent on the franchise circuit, he has always been entrusted with key roles at the top of the order and with the ball, particularly with Oval Invincibles and Pretoria Capitals. Still yet to crack the IPL, a century in Ahmedabad for Royal Challengers Bengaluru and all-round consistency for Mumbai Indians in the most recent edition hint at an unflappable character, unperturbed by the bright lights.Of course, fronting up itself is no guarantee of success, and there are examples of that within Jacks’ sporadic international career.During his second Test, in Multan, he batted three in the second innings – albeit only lasting four balls – to allow Ollie Pope to come in lower down the order after keeping. In last year’s T20 World Cup, he took the second over against Australia and conceded 22, lined up to Bridgetown’s short side by Travis Head. His current reinvention as a white-ball finisher has, so far, been modest.His biggest call to arms this winter may not be deputising for Bashir, whether through injury or England deciding against playing an out-and-out spinner if conditions dictate. It may well be as a replacement for Ben Stokes.England’s talismanic captain is said to be well on course to recover from his right shoulder tear and play a full part in the Ashes as an allrounder. But after missing five Tests in the space of 12 months due to three internal injuries, contingency plans have been made.The clearest of those has been Harry Brook’s ascension to vice-captaincy ahead of Pope. “He’s set his style and identity, which is very similar to someone like Ben,” Key noted of Brook’s work since assuming limited-overs captain from Jos Buttler at the start of the summer.Replacing Stokes’ aura and tactical acumen will not be straightforward, though the sense is Brook offers more of both than Pope. Practically, he has often been replaced by a seamer. Even as far back as the 2017-18 Ashes when Steven Finn, and then Tom Curran, were drafted after Stokes was suspended following a fight outside a Bristol nightclub.Should Stokes be unavailable at any point this winter, Jacks offers a neat compromise. Not only could he bat at No. 6, thus allowing Jamie Smith to stay at seven, but it would then mean an extra seamer play instead of Bashir. That way, England would be able to maintain a similar balance of batting depth and bowling options.Essentially, Jacks’ selection can be boiled down, simply, as England’s 16th and final pick. A wildcard for a trip to a country where they have not won a Test since 2011. Someone offering what they might want as much as what they might need.