June 3 – The English Premier League season closed on Sunday 25 May, the traditional time for players to head on holiday, relax, and repair their bodies after a long, hard season.
However, the financially driven football landscape now requires players to endure long haul flights to far reaching countries just days after the campaign has finished – with post-season tours becoming the norm.
This trend has caught the attention of English Professional Footballers’ Association chief Maheta Molango who has expressed his growing concern at the practice and its effect on player welfare.
“We’re all mindful and understand some of the financial dynamics clubs go through, but the reality is that quite a few players have expressed concern,” Molango said. “We have expressed concern about these post-season tours.”
The issue has drawn additional attention after Manchester United’s controversial trip to Malaysia and Hong Kong, which saw embarrassing performances including a defeat to part-time players, fans booing the team, and star winger Amad Diallo giving supporters the middle finger.
The United players had flown to Asia almost immediately after their match against Aston Villa ended, which likely explains their exhaustion and frustration. Despite the poor performances, the Red Devils earned approximately £10 million from the excursion.
For context, Real Madrid recently became the first club to generate €1 billion in annual revenue, while Manchester United earned €771 million, making every additional revenue opportunity crucial for maintaining competitive spending.
Pre-season tours typically generate between £8-15 million per club for major European sides, through appearance fees, sponsorship activations, merchandise sales, and broadcast rights.
For clubs operating under Financial Fair Play regulations, these international trips have become essential revenue drivers that can determine summer transfer budgets.
Molango has also flagged money-spinning pre-season tours that see traditional rivals meet in what should be warm-up games. However, history and fan expectations demand that players give their all, with the first North London derby to be played outside the UK scheduled for Hong Kong in July.
“You cannot just turn up at the derby with flip-flops,” Molango said. “Sometimes there’s this misunderstanding that, yes, [pre-season] is about resting but then having a proper ability to build up to that level of intensity and that level of game.”
The commercialisation of these fixtures creates a paradox: clubs need the revenue, but the competitive nature undermines the recuperation period players require.
When Arsenal and Tottenham meet in Hong Kong, ticket prices and sponsor expectations will demand Premier League-quality intensity from players who should theoretically be easing back into competitive fitness.
With foreign investment increasingly viewing international events as prime financial drivers, Molango emphasised that any solution must be applied broadly across the football calendar.
“I’m not just talking about Manchester United, I’m talking in general about the situation,” he said. “This once again confirms the need to take a holistic approach to the problem because you aren’t going to solve it if you just attack one specific competition.”
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1749095766labto1749095766ofdlr1749095766owedi1749095766sni@r1749095766etsbe1749095766w.kci1749095766n1749095766