‘How can they?’ - Newcastle United owners given vote of confidence amid FA friendly concerns

Former Premier League owner Simon Jordan has defended Newcastle United’s decision to stage an end-of-season friendly against Tottenham Hotspur.

Both top-flight clubs will jet off to Australia just three days after the Premier League season ends on May 19. Iconic venue the Melbourne Cricket Ground is set to welcome 100,000 spectators as Newcastle and Spurs rematch the drubbing at St James’ Park earlier this month.

However, the friendly has attracted criticism, with The Times claiming the FA are considering blocking post-season games in future. Player welfare appears to be the main sticking point as many are expected to feature at Euro 2024 and the Copa America. 

Newcastle’s exhibition clash with Spurs will take place 12 days before England take on Bosnia and Herzegovina at St James’ Park. Anthony Gordon and Kieran Trippier will likely be part of Gareth Southgate’s plans for the upcoming Euros.

Speaking on talkSPORT, ex-Crystal Palace owner slammed the FA for considering to block friendlies further down the line. He said: “So the FA, who have abdicated all responsibility over 32 years, since the inception of the Premier League, allowing themselves to be emasculated and turned into a eunuch of governance and happy to waive in an independent regulator because they’re so gutless, are going to pop up and tell football clubs how to run their commercial operation?

That’s what they’re going to do? Don’t be so ridiculous. How can they? On what basis? Here’s a player, ‘I’m going to give you more money than you can ever imagine in your life and you play the games I tell you to. Do you want to sign the contract?’

“‘Yes, thank you, I’ll sign the contract’. They’re going to be in first class getting a pedigree, let’s have it right. They’re generating revenue for football clubs because, I don’t know if you realise, there aren’t many clubs turning a profit in the Premier League right now.”