Report: FIFA approve new rule that flies in the face of the recent controversy surrounding Newcastle United

After Sunday's game at Brentford, Newcastle United's players will hop on a plane and fly to the other side of the world for an exhibition in Australia along with Tottenham Hotspur.

The move has been widely criticised by fans, pundits and activist groups, and to be honest, rightly so. However, such a thing wouldn't be necessary if clubs were allowed to spend their own money as they see fit, but Financial Fair Play makes that impossible, so that means clubs have to get creative in finding ways to raise income and increasing their global reach by playing abroad is a great way to do that.

Flying halfway around the world so soon after the Premier League season has ended, especially in a year with an international tournament has drawn plenty of criticism from the PFA who warn of travel fatigue.

Even Kieran Trippier has spoken out against the move. However, FIFA have now greenlit plans for clubs to stage League games abroad.

FIFA

La Liga are already keen on playing games out-of-territory

This doesn't mean it's something that the Premier League will adopt, but it just shows the hypocrisy clubs are dealing with. Such a thing is fine if a governing body can profit from it, but should a club do it off their own bat it's all wrong.

NewcastleWorld have reported that La Liga has already signalled its intention to stage games out-of-territory after 2025.

Former Premier League chief Richard Scudamore once floated the idea of a 39th Premier League game to be played abroad but that was quickly shot down with current boss, Richard Masters strongly opposed to the idea.

Moving games abroad would be such a slap in the face for fans

Newcastle fans already struggle to get to games with demand for tickets being so high. Moving a game out of the country would just be a slap in the face to those fans who spend hours in front of a screen hoping for a ticket from the maligned ballot system.

If the Premier League even suggested following suit with this rule, which is unlikely, the backlash would certainly be fierce.

It seems that when it comes to making money in football, no idea is a bad idea until the fans get to hear about it, then it's Back-Track City. European Super Cup, anyone?