Premier League clubs are facing a rough start to their pre-season preparations for the 2026-27 campaign, with several friendly matches devolving into aggressive contests featuring questionable challenges and mass confrontations.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Sandro Tonali was involved in an altercation during a closed-door match against Getafe. After a late challenge by Getafe's Mario Martin, Tonali reacted by shoving Martin several times, leading to a brief scuffle that was broken up by other players.
Valencia captain Jose Gaya was sent off for a harsh tackle on Anthony Elanga during a match that also saw a significant confrontation between the teams. Elanga was carried off on a stretcher, though his injury was later reported to be less serious than initially feared.
Chelsea’s tour in Malaysia also experienced disruptions. Johor Darul Ta’zim defender Antonio Cristian’s reckless challenge on striker Liam Delap sparked heated exchanges throughout the game. Following the match, Johor Darul Ta’zim players refused to participate in the customary penalty shootout, contributing to a chaotic conclusion. Chelsea's set-piece coach, Austin MacPhee, was also seen in a heated exchange with the opposing team's bench.
Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Real Betis' Antony were both sent off during their encounter. The incident began after a ball was rifled at Bournemouth's Bafode Diakite, escalating into a confrontation where Scott and Antony were dismissed for shoving. Fans can be reassured that these pre-season red cards do not carry over to competitive matches.
Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa was shown a red card after the full-time whistle of his team’s match against Malaga. Arbeloa's frustration stemmed from a late penalty awarded to the opposition. The team subsequently forfeited the penalty shootout.
Within Liverpool's squad, a dispute arose between teammates Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Kostas Tsimikas regarding the captain's armband after Szoboszlai was substituted. The argument culminated in Tsimikas throwing the armband to the ground.
These incidents highlight a trend of increased aggression in pre-season matches, which are typically seen as low-stakes tune-ups before the competitive season begins.