Simonelli sets deadline for Milan-Como decision with chances lowering: “Not a dead end”

A lot has been said about AC Milan and their fixtures recently, largely due to the glaring red mark where the Como fixture is meant to take place.

In the past few months, there has been a growing possibility that Milan played a game in Australia against Como. Whilst it would be done to ‘raise the profile’ of Serie A, there has been severe backlash from several parties.

A few Rossoneri players have complained, whilst Massimiliano Allegri has rejected the idea publicly, as has Cesc Fabregas. In fact, it seems the only ones pushing for this are at the top of the table. No one else is really behind it.

Simonelli on Milan-Como

It seems that the chances of the game occurring down under are lessening currently, which will only be met with smiles by the majority. However, it may not be completely dead as an idea, as Ezio Simonelli stated during a press conference, via Calciomercato.com.

“I’ve read some incorrect things in recent days. It’s not a dead end, but an ongoing hypothesis: we’ve had many favourable opinions, including from Asia. The AFC is the only one that hasn’t given a clear approval, but with two conditions so impractical that they can’t be considered valid.

“This is why we asked FIFA to give a final answer: we don’t consider those conditions acceptable, but not because we don’t want to accept them. It’s impossible to go and play an Italian league match without defining it as such.

Marco Luzzani – Getty Images

“Just like going to play in Australia without Italian referees. I say: dear Asian confederation, have you realised that we’ll soon be going to Saudi Arabia, on Asian soil, to play a competition, the Italian Super Cup, with Italian referees?

“We went to China, Qatar: perhaps it’s a mistake. And if it is a mistake, let’s consider those non-existent conditions and take it as a favourable opinion.

“This doesn’t mean we’re certain it will be played: I’ll see Infantino in Doha in a few days, then if FIFA says that the game hasn’t started yet, we’ll take note of it. I won’t go out on a limb or even make any judgments: I’m just saying that the process is still ongoing.

“Is there a deadline? Definitely, it could be this meeting in Doha on the 17th. Then, if the need for further discussion emerges, we’ll see. Meanwhile, by December 18th, we’ll have a clear idea of ​​whether there’s a favourable outcome.

“We haven’t made any assumptions yet, precisely because we’re working on the February 8th match in Perth. It’s clear that if we know by December 18th that the match can’t be played, it will be up to Andrea Butti, head of competition, to manage the organisation of that match.”