Barely three days after the conclusion of the 2023/24 season, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United jetted out on a controversial trip to Australia that sparked outrage.

The core issue was the sheer absurdity of embarking on a long and tiresome journey for a single meaningless friendly, especially for Tottenham.

Newcastle had to remain in Australia for a second friendly fixture against the A-League All-Star team at the Marvel Stadium.

Both teams also named strong squads for the end-of-season friendlies – a decision made despite concerns about the increasing workload the players are facing.

Critics were left scratching their heads at the decision, particularly considering the already-packed schedule.

Some players who travelled to Australia will also link up with their respective national teams for the upcoming European Championship and Copa America tournaments.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe described the trip as a ‘brilliant opportunity’ to connect with the club’s fanbase, which is ironic given he blamed his side’s injury troubles last term on the increased workload on the players.

The Magpies failed to replicate their historic 2022/23 exploits when they qualified for the Champions League and were forced to settle for a seventh-place finish last term.

Howe’s side were decimated with injuries for most of the season, often forcing him to turn to his academy for reinforcement.

However, he was more than happy to take his team to a needless friendly after a gruesome campaign just to bag some extra revenue.

By contrast, Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou was honest enough to admit that ‘exposure and revenue’ were key elements of the trip.

Even though it raises concerns about prioritising finances over player wellbeing, he also acknowledged that he would have blocked the trip if Spurs had qualified for European football.

The primary motivation for the friendly in Australia is both clubs’ desire to comply with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

PSR only permits clubs to make a certain financial loss over three years, and several clubs have been scrapping to boost their revenue before the end of June.

The Newcastle vs Tottenham clash in Australia attracted a huge crowd, but even the fan interest was insignificant compared to the risk involved.

The game also raised an interesting debate surrounding sports betting, with numerous sportsbooks in Australia offering a wide range of markets on the friendly.

The fixture generated some interest on the best sports betting sites in Australia, but fans would have rather placed wagers on scrapped FA Cup replays rather than meaningless friendlies.

The Professional Footballers’ Association has constantly advocated for fewer games to reduce player fatigue, which perhaps played a part in the controversial decision to scrap FA Cup replays from next season.

Modern footballers are already subjected to gruelling schedules, often playing over 50 games per season across various competitions.

Eliminating replays will help reduce this strain, allowing players more recovery time and potentially decreasing the risk of injuries.

From a logistical perspective, abolishing replays eases fixture congestion, which is particularly necessary given the expansion of other tournaments like the Champions League.

The Champions League will expand to 36 teams next season, and the group stage will be replaced by a league format, resulting in teams playing an extra two matches.

The Club World Cup, which is currently held annually and features seven teams from six confederations, will become a 32-team tournament to be held every four years.

These changes make it seem like the appeal from the players are falling on deaf ears.

FIFPro, the global footballers’ union, released a report in 2023 titled ‘Extreme Calendar Congestion: The Adverse Effects on Player Health and Wellbeing’, and some of its statistics were bothersome.

Another FIFPro survey from the previous year found that 55% of players claimed they had picked up an injury directly due to scheduling.

Clubs must consider player welfare when scheduling unnecessary fixtures like the Tottenham v Newcastle clash in Australia.

One bright spot of the match was the homecoming of Spurs manager Postecoglou to his native Melbourne. That undoubtedly added a feel-good element to the trip, and both clubs boast dedicated fan bases in Australia who likely appreciated the chance to see their teams in action.

However, the heartwarming story is overshadowed by the undeniable financial motivations behind the trip as both clubs strive to comply with the Premier League’s economic rules.

Whatever fee Spurs and Newcastle received was not worth it. Spurs are already going on their pre-season tour to Japan and South Korea, and Newcastle are heading to Japan and Germany.

Those trips will be demanding enough, while next season’s schedule is expected to be even busier. This post-season trip was reckless and needless, and such fixtures shouldn’t be allowed.

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