Summer sizzle or player struggle? Tottenham Hotspur caught in friendly match row
Tottenham Hotspur are among the Premier League clubs that are set to go against the FA owing to their ban on friendly matches taking place after the conclusion of the season, per Football Insider.
The Lilywhites have been in the middle of massive controversy following their scheduled post-season friendly when they travel to Australia to face Premier League rivals Newcastle United at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. This is another way that clubs have unlocked to boost financial revenue with a one-off friendly, which gets millions pumped into the financial statements through lucrative exhibition matches.
However, the Football Association (FA) has taken action since to ban friendly fixtures from taking place so soon after the conclusion of the season.
FA vs. Premier League Clubs – Battle lines drawn over post-season friendlies
Finance expert Kieran Maguire believes that elite clubs need to stop using players as “cash cows.” He says that there is now set to be a “battle” between the FA and the clubs as the latter look to capitalize on the summer breaks with exhibition games.
“We’ve seen Spurs and Newcastle hastily arrange a friendly match in Australia after the end of the season,” Kieran Maguire said, speaking to Football Insider’s Sean Fisher.
“It does look as if there will now be a battle between clubs and the Football Association.
“We also have to take into consideration player welfare.
“There are far too many owners that just see football players as cash cows to be milked and milked as often as they can.