PFA Chief speaks on adverse effects of post-season tours on players saying ‘Quite a few players have expressed concern’.
PFA chief Molango voices concern over effects of post-season tours on players
The Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive, Maheta Molango, has expressed worry over post-season trips because of the additional workload they place on players right after a busy season. The most recent instance of a trend that some believe is harming sportsmen’ health is Manchester United’s contentious trip to Malaysia and Hong Kong.
“We’re all mindful and understand some of the financial dynamics the club goes through, but the reality is that quite a few players have expressed concern,” Molango said. “We have expressed concern about these post-season tours.”
When United lost to an Asean All Stars team in Kuala Lumpur, the crowd jeered them, turning the tour into a farce. After that humiliation, striker Amad Diallo was criticised for giving fans the finger outside the team hotel. He later said that he was reacting to taunts directed at his mother. United anticipates making about £10 million from the trip.
While players are still developing their conditioning, Molango also questioned preseason travels that match up traditional opponents. Next month, Arsenal and Tottenham will play their first north London derby outside of the United Kingdom in Hong Kong.
“You cannot just turn up at the derby with flip-flops,” he 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.”
“I’m not just talking about Manchester United, I’m talking in general about the situation,” he said. “This once again confirms the need of taking a holistic approach to the problem because you aren’t going to solve it if you just attack one specific competition.”