The Football Association (FA) is taking steps to prohibit end-of-season friendly matches to safeguard player well-being. This move comes as a response to mounting concerns over player welfare. The FA is contemplating a nationwide ban on such friendlies, a decision that was reached after discussions with the Premier League and the EFL. This decision has prompted criticism, with some accusing the FA of favoring the demands of the top clubs in the Premier League at the expense of others in the pyramid structure.
The debate around banning end-of-season friendlies has arisen in the context of calls from players and managers to streamline the packed schedules that they currently face. These stakeholders have been advocating for reductions in their commitments to alleviate the strain they experience.
