Premier League players raise concerns over post-season tours, says PFA chief

Players from Premier League clubs have expressed concerns to the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) about the impact of post-season tours on their rest and recovery, according to PFA CEO Maheta Molango.

Speaking at a FIFPRO summit in Munich, Molango highlighted growing discontent among players over the increasingly packed schedules. He cited the example of Manchester United, who flew to Asia for friendlies in Malaysia and Hong Kong immediately after their final league match on May 25. Reports suggest United earned around £8 million ($10.8 million) from the tour.

Other clubs, including Tottenham, Newcastle, and Manchester City, have also participated in post-season games in distant locations like Australia and North America.

While acknowledging the financial motivations behind these tours, Molango emphasized the need for a “holistic approach” to address player workload and avoid burnout. He said this isn’t just about one club but reflects a wider issue in football scheduling.

Players are also growing uneasy about high-intensity pre-season games, especially when they involve domestic rivals, which are often branded as “friendlies” but played with competitive vigor. This, Molango noted, undermines proper rest and preparation.

"I think we're all mindful and understand some of the financial dynamics that a club goes through, but the reality is that quite a few players have expressed concern," Molango said. "We [PFA] have expressed concern about those post-season tours.

"I'm not just talking about Man United, I'm talking in general about that situation and this once again confirms the need of taking a holistic approach to the problem because you are not going to solve it if you just attack one specific competition. You need to be able to take a holistic view."

Looking ahead, the packed calendar includes:

-The inaugural FIFA Club World Cup (starting June 14 in the U.S.)

-The Premier League Summer Series (July 26 – Aug 3, with United, West Ham, Everton, and Bournemouth)

-International tours by Liverpool, Arsenal, Newcastle, and Spurs across Asia.

Molango concluded that the football calendar must be reviewed comprehensively to protect players' health and ensure long-term performance standards.

"Because you play derbies sometimes, local derbies going on in the world, you cannot just turn up at a derby with just, you know, with flip flops," Molango said. "Sometimes I think there's this misunderstanding.

"Yes it's about resting, but then having a proper ability to build up to that level of intensity and that level of games."