Premier League clubs told to 'put themselves on right side of history' by reducing flights

Premier League sides are being urged to dramatically reduce the number of flights they take in order to do their bit to tackle climate change.

Top-flight clubs have to away matches which could be easily reached by coach. Teams often decide to charter private jets in order to reduce travel time, even though it is around 40 times worse for the environment.

research in March 2023 by sides in a two-month period which contained just 100 matches, despite 84 per cent of away games could be reached by coach in less than four and a half hours. Just last week, to fly back from Manchester when contacted by Mirror Football following a backlash from fans on social media.

There is also the issue of Premier League clubs choosing to play pre-season friendlies in the United States and Tottenham to play a friendly against three days after the final day of last season. Chris Boardman, the chairman of Sport England, believes flying is one of the simplest issues to confront and would show that the Premier League is serious about its sustainability commitments.

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“In the UK, as it is for many other countries, football is our national game,” Boardman said in a keynote speech at the Sport Positive Summit. “In the Premier League, we have the most popular sports league in the , with a reach and influence that is unparalleled. But we are seeing wildly inconsistent action.

“This year, half of the Premier League – 10 clubs – flew to the United States … for friendlies. ’s pre-season schedule saw them flying almost 13,000 miles to play fixtures in Norway, , and across the US. Spurs and Newcastle played an exhibition fixture in May – three days after the season finished – for which they both flew to Melbourne, , a game Alan Shearer described as ‘madness’.

“Add in those air miles and both teams will have travelled in excess of 30,000 miles, equivalent to more than once around the globe, to play in non-competitive matches in the closed season.”

He added: “I’m a pragmatist, not a moral absolutist. I don’t believe in outright bans on flying, but we all need to strike a much better balance. It is time for all of our top football clubs to step up, and put themselves on the right side of history.”

Boardman said: “Imagine if a global sports star did what [Marcus] Rashford did and said ‘I’m not going to stop flying, because that’s not viable, but when I’m in Europe I’m going to get the train, who’s with me?’ Can you imagine the impact that would have?

“I think they’d be surprised how many of their peers would stand with them. It’s a lot to ask of an individual, but if one person did that the impact of the fanbase and how we move would be huge. is huge and they’re punching below their weight at the moment. I wish they’d act more.”

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