Como president Mirwan Suwarso and several club directors have announced they will hand over their seats to elderly supporters ahead of the club's first-ever Champions League match, a remarkable gesture that has captured the attention of the football world.
The Lombardy club will welcome RB Leipzig on Thursday evening in what marks a watershed moment — their continental debut after 119 years of existence. Como earned their place in Europe's premier club competition by finishing fourth in Serie A last season under manager Cesc Fabregas, the former Arsenal, Chelsea, and Barcelona midfielder.
A stadium too small for a historic night
Demand for tickets has far outstripped supply. Como's home ground, Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, which sits on the shores of Lake Como, holds around 12,000 fans at full capacity. However, UEFA's broadcasting and operational requirements trimmed that figure by a further 1,000, leaving an even smaller allocation for supporters.
Once tickets sold out, Suwarso took to Instagram to announce that he and other executives would relinquish their personal seats. The Indonesian businessman made clear who the beneficiaries should be.
