Rabiot supported by French players’ union in row about Serie A match abroad

The French players’ union (UNFP) on Thursday backed footballer Adrien Rabiot as he spoke out about his concerns over UEFA’s decision to allow AC Milan to play a league match in Australia.

AC Milan midfielder Rabiot called the decision by European football’s governing body to hold a home match against Como in Perth on February 8 «completely insane».

The San Siro stadium in Milan will be out of use on that date because the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics will take place here on February 6.

Rabiot’s criticism angered Serie A CEO Luigi De Siervo, who on Wednesday told the player to count his money and keep quiet about the decision.

“Rabiot, like all players who earn millions of euros, forgets that they are paid to do something, and that is play football,” said De Siervo.

“He should have more respect for the money he earns and offer more support to his employer, Milan, who accepted and insisted on this match being played abroad.”

However, the UNFP backed Rabiot for raising his concerns, which he said are “shared by the vast majority of players”.

Not all football players “have access to the media and can express themselves in this way,” the UNFP continued.

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“However, they should know that, as the most important players in the game, they have the right and even the obligation to make their voices heard.

“Freedom of expression for footballers is a fundamental principle that the UNFP, like FIFPRO, the world players’ union, will always defend,” it added.

UEFA said this week that it had “reluctantly” approved the staging of Milan’s home match against Como in Perth, as well as a Spanish La Liga match between Barcelona and Villarreal in Miami, Florida, on December 20.

European supporter groups called the measures “absurd, unaffordable and environmentally irresponsible,” and Rabiot made his feelings clear.

«It’s completely insane. Financial arrangements have been made to give the championship a certain visibility. All this is beyond us (the players),» he said in an interview with French newspaper Le Figaro.

“It’s crazy to travel so far to play a match between two Italian teams in Australia.”

Published on October 9, 2025