"Passion Can't Be Bought": Curva Como 1907 Rejects Proposed Perth Fixture

Como 1907’s main supporter group have issued a blistering statement regarding reports of a potential Serie A fixture against AC Milan to be played in Perth.

While the prospect of a competitive Serie A match on Australian soil is a tantalising proposition for local Euro-football lovers, it strikes a nerve at the very heart of European supporter culture.

For the FSAA, this situation highlights the ongoing global tension between modern football’s commercial expansion and the rights of the legacy fans who keep their clubs alive.

"Como without its people isn't Como"

In a statement addressed directly to the Club President and ownership, Curva Como 1907 did not mince words. Responding to club rhetoric regarding "growth" and the "necessary sacrifice" required to build the brand globally, the supporter group reminded the owners of the true reality.

They argue that "sacrifice" is not a marketing buzzword, but the lived experience of the fans who stuck by the club during its darkest days.

"For us, sacrifice is daily life," the statement reads. "It's those who work all week and travel hundreds of kilometers on Sundays to be there... It's those who were there in Serie D, on pitches that not even the navigator could find."

Marketing vs. Merit

The proposed fixture—a competitive match moved 14,000 kilometers away from the paying members and season ticket holders—is seen by the Curva as a commodification of their loyalty.

The statement serves as a reminder that football clubs are community assets before they are global brands. The active support stressed that the atmosphere of a match cannot be exported or replicated in a neutral venue, regardless of the commercial upside.

"Perhaps some have forgotten that football is born from the people, not from marketing strategies," the group stated. "Our faith doesn't travel business class. It stays here, in the stands, in the rain and the cold... It stays in Como, where the heart of this team truly beats."

Source: Curva Como 1907

The FSAA View

While Australian fans are eager for high-quality football, the FSAA is standing firmly with Football Supporters Europe as well as the local and loyal supporters of Como 1907 and AC Milan for the protection of domestic leagues and the rights of match-going fans. League football belongs to the locals, not the highest bidder.

You cannot export a competitive fixture without damaging the bond between a club and its community.

Exporting competitive matches sets a dangerous precedent, treating the local fanbase as replaceable consumers rather than the lifeblood of the club.

Curva Como closed their statement with a plea for dignity, urging the club to reject the "invitation" to Perth:

"Passion can't be bought; seeing your fans sing and push the team to victory is priceless. We urge everyone not to be complicit in this farce; don't be puppets."

As we wait for final approval from FIFA, Asian Football Confederation and Football Australia, it remains to be seen if the Como ownership will heed the call of their most loyal supporters, or if the allure of international marketing and a lucrative pay day from the WA State Government will outweigh the long held traditions and intrinsic link with the Como community.