Newcastle are on their way to Australia for a post-season tour, but club legend Alan Shearer is far from impressed.
The Premier League season concluded on Sunday afternoon, with Newcastle's 4-2 win at Brentford securing a seventh-place finish after a tough campaign for Eddie Howe's side.
The Magpies were ravaged by injuries, with the squad feeling the full effects of a busy fixture list with the club involved in the Champions League campaign this season.
But despite coming through an arduous and exhausting season, the team are trekking Down Under for a friendly against Tottenham at the MCG on Wednesday night, plus a game against the A-League All Stars on Friday.
Both Newcastle and Sputs have named strong squads for the tour, with the Magpies taking Kieran Trippier, Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes, while Spurs are taking James Maddison, Heung-Min Son and Micky van de Ven.
The fixture has led to plenty of criticism from fans, with Premier League clubs successfully ridding the FA Cup of replays due to supposed fatigue among players, but then show willing to embark on international tours made up of non-competitive games.
And Shearer, the Premier League's record goalscorer and a Newcastle hero, has added his to a growing list of voices opposing the tour.
'Can you imagine if you're a player who is playing in either the Copa America or Euro 2024 having to do that? Madness. Crazy,' he told Match Of The Day.
'I wouldn't be happy at all. It's crazy for Newcastle to go and play Spurs there on Wednesday night and then another game.'
The European Championships begins in Germany on June 14 while the Copa America kicks off six days later, with some players on the tour expected to feature in either of the tournaments.
Joebcmuyz
1
Do you have no concept of the good that these teams going to a place like Australia does for the game there?
MaddyKotagiri
0
Pre season tours makes sense but post season tours seems just money making trips for owners!!
shardul7798
0
Seriously though, I don't understand this decision of playing friendly matches right after the season has finished. The players work hard all season long. Let them go on a vacation for a couple of weeks. Some of the Newcastle players have to play at the Euros and Copa America as well. Let them rest for some time.
Wamiklmsty
0
Seriously Alan, it’s a paid vacation and a couple of effortless matches. How difficult can it be?