Australian soccer followers will get to see two of the English Premier League’s greatest golf equipment up shut on the MCG on Wednesday evening with Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United touchdown in Melbourne.
However whereas it’s a homecoming for Tottenham’s Aussie coach Ange Postecoglou, the actual fact the match is coming simply three days the tip of the English Premier League season has raised various eyebrows.
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Each golf equipment completed their season with wins as Tottenham downed Sheffield United 3-0, whereas Newcastle beat Brentford 4-2.
Tottenham will likely be taking part in European soccer subsequent yr after qualifying for the Europa League for ending fifth, Newcastle await the results of the FA Cup remaining.
If Manchester Metropolis win the FA Cup, Newcastle will go to the Europa Convention League, with Chelsea straight into the Europa League. But when Manchester United win, they’ll go to the Europa League, Chelsea will go to the Europa Convention League, and Newcastle will miss out.
After 38 matches within the EPL season, in addition to Cup ties and, for groups akin to Newcastle who completed prime 4 final yr, Champions League matches, it finally ends up being an extended season.
That doesn’t even bear in mind Worldwide matches for these chosen.
It makes it an extended yr for the perfect of the perfect and Newcastle defender Kieran Trippier, who is anticipated to chose in England’s Euros squad, mentioned: “It’s not perfect as a result of it’s a event yr. I perceive why the membership are doing it. I’ve accomplished it at Tottenham and (Atletico) Madrid however from my very own expertise of it, in a event yr it’s not perfect.
“We’re gamers, we’ve acquired to do what’s proper for the membership. Once we’re there, it’ll be good, we’ll embrace it and expertise it.”
He added it’s an extended journey from England to Australia, however mentioned: “It’s a kind of the place you simply must get on with it.”
Newcastle not solely play Tottenham on Wednesday however will face off towards the A-League All-Stars on Friday at Marvel Stadium.
Even Postecoglou mentioned it was a troublesome scenario, claiming if Tottenham had performed in Europe this season they wouldn’t have travelled to Melbourne.
“Our scenario is a bit completely different from Newcastle’s. They’ve had a European season, Champions League — it’s been an enormous season. We haven’t,” Postecoglou mentioned.
“I actually wouldn’t have allowed it to occur if we have been in Europe this yr and had an even bigger recreation schedule. I in all probability would have mentioned no to it.
“And I don’t suppose the membership would have anticipated us to go. If we’re in Europe subsequent yr, I don’t suppose you’ll be seeing this occur.
“I don’t suppose it’s perfect. However I believe every scenario is exclusive. For us, on the again of our season, to play yet another recreation two days after the tip of the season, there’s substance to it for us.”
Postecoglou had beforehand mentioned in March the sport was a “distinctive alternative” and argued it will be “actually helpful for us as a soccer membership”.
Newcastle membership legend and former England captain Alan Shearer has blasted the transfer as the celebs needed to take a 24-hour flight to Australia straight after ending the gruelling Premier League season.
Talking on the BBC’s Match of the Day highlights present, Shearer unloaded on the choice.
“Are you able to think about if you happen to’re a participant who’s taking part in in both the Copa America or Euro 2024 having to try this? Insanity. Loopy,” he mentioned.
The Euros begin June 15 (Australian time) with some friendlies within the lead up, whereas Copa America kicks off June 21 (AU time).
Social media was baffled by the transfer so shut from the tip of the EPL season.
Soccer author Rebekka Arnold tweeted: “I’ve to say the truth that Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur are flying out to Australia to play a pleasant three days after the season has completed is the definition of why fashionable soccer is so silly.”
Different followers hit out on the determination as properly.
“The FA: We’re stopping FA Cup replays subsequent season due to too many video games.
“Newcastle and Tottenham: we’re simply flying to Australia to play a put up season pleasant … towards one another,” one fan wrote.
One other commented: “Premier League season ended lower than 48 hours in the past and Newcastle play towards Tottenham tomorrow evening in Melbourne. What the f**okay is occurring with the sport. Give individuals a break, Jesus Christ.”
A 3rd commented: “I genuinely don’t perceive this Australia tour by Newcastle United and Tottenham.”
The UK’s Telegraph additionally hit out on the hypocrisy of flying groups 17,000km internationally, which the paper argues “makes a mockery of such gimmicks because the Premier League’s ‘inexperienced weekend’.”
Frank Huisingh, the founding father of Fossil Free Soccer, which is a gaggle of soccer followers aiming to “free soccer from huge polluters”, advised Telegraph Sport: “I’m not stunned, however I’m disillusioned. It’s unlucky that flying has grow to be normalised in soccer, and that is simply the most recent instance.”
