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PFA set to step in as Newcastle and Tottenham plot friendly in Australia

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Newcastle's Kieran Trippier may have to play a friendly in Australia before England's Euro campaign

The PFA is set to intervene after Newcastle United and Tottenham announced a post-season friendly in Australia.

The two Premier League sides are intending to play a match in Melbourne on May 22 - less than a week after the top flight season ends. They've also signalled their intent to take the majority of their international stars despite the major tournaments taking place this summer.

A host of the players who would be involved will be playing in the Euros in Germany, which begins in early June. Some players, the likes of Richarlison and Joelinton, are likely going to be involved in the Copa America, which also takes place over the summer.

As a result the Daily Mail reports that the PFA will step in with several figures in football unhappy about the 21,000-mile round trip. The PFA have long tried to assist the players as they call for a reduction in games, which is not aided by a one-off contest in Australia.

England boss Gareth Southgate concedes the friendly is not ideal preparation for those who will be involved. He said: "It (end-of-season friendlies) is going to happen more and more. Why? Financial fair play means clubs need to generate their own money, so we're in a bizarre world where there's more money in the game than ever before, and yet everyone is scrambling across federations and clubs to generate more.

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"The normal way of doing that is to play more games - so is that great news for us, in terms of preparation? No. But we're going to have players in the FA Cup final (May 25) probably, the Champions League final (June 1) hopefully and a chance of a few other European finals, so we are used to preparing this way.

"We had to go to Qatar with five days prep, so we adjust to whatever it is and hope there are no injuries from that game (in Australia)."

PFA set to step in as Newcastle and Tottenham plot friendly in AustraliaThe friendly could hamper England's prep for the Euros (Javier Garcia/REX/Shutterstock)

There is also a major conflict of interests with the Premier League’s new Environmental Sustainability Commitment, which was only announced last month and introduced a minimum standard of action on environmental issues across the clubs and the league.

When the friendly was announced Tottenham's Chief Football Officer, Scott Munn, said: “Being able to take our team overseas is always a huge honour. We have amazing global support and to have the opportunity to connect with those fans who may be based thousands of miles away but are fanatical about the Club is truly special."

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Samuel Meade

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