Bologna-Milan match postponed: Mayor refuses to allow game, even behind closed doors

The Serie A match between Bologna and AC Milan, scheduled for tomorrow afternoon at the Stadio Dall’Ara in Bologna, has been officially postponed to a date yet to be determined. After hours of deliberation, Lega Serie A made the decision following pressure from Bologna’s mayor, Matteo Lepore, and the club itself.

Lega Serie A issued an official statement confirming the postponement, citing the Bologna mayor’s ordinance that prohibits the match from taking place, even behind closed doors. The league’s emergency board meeting explored alternative venues such as Como and Empoli before ultimately opting for postponement.

The earliest available dates for rescheduling the match are in 2025, due to both teams’ commitments in various competitions. Bologna expressed satisfaction with the decision, having advocated for the postponement. However, AC Milan’s president, Paolo Scaroni, voiced his disappointment, stating, “The mayor has banned closed-door games; I don’t understand why.”

The decision marks a victory for Bologna’s stance. Earlier in the day, Lega Serie A had attempted to find an alternative venue after a meeting where Mayor Lepore maintained his position, in the presence of the Prefect Visconti. It was decided that the match would not be played at the Dall’Ara, even behind closed doors.

Scaroni described the decision as “incomprehensible,” revealing that Milan had wanted to play the match as scheduled. In contrast, Bologna pushed for postponement, citing difficulties for their fans. Scaroni added, “In the face of the mayor’s ordinance, we bow our heads.”