End-of-season friendlies could be banned to protect players after Tottenham announcement

The FA is reportedly considering a ban on end-of-season friendly matches in an effort to safeguard players. In recent years, Premier League clubs have been known to stage exhibition matches overseas shortly after the season concludes, capitalising on international demand.

Tottenham and Newcastle are the latest teams to follow this trend, scheduling a friendly in Melbourne, Australia on 22 May, just 72 hours after their 38-game Premier League campaign ends.

In light of growing concerns over player welfare, the FA is contemplating a nationwide prohibition on such friendlies. As reported by The Times, this could take the form of a new rule preventing clubs from organising matches between the end of the season and the start of pre-season in July.

This news followsthe controversial decision by the governing body to eliminate FA Cup replays from the first round onwards, a move they say was made in the interest of player welfare following discussions with the Premier League and the EFL. However, this decision has been met with significant backlash, with critics accusing the FA of succumbing to the demands of the Premier League's top clubs at the expense of those lower down in the pyramid.

The staggering number of injuries Premier League clubs have suffered in recent seasons is believed to be largely due to the fixture congestion caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the postponement of Euro 2020 and the mid-season 2022 World Cup. Consequently, players and managers are calling on authorities to reduce their increasingly crowded schedules.