AFC set to take action against pre-season tours

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has warned European clubs to stop exploiting Asian markets for financial gain. AFC officials want to vet applications for lucrative pre-season tours to Asia in future, instead of having clubs go through national associations or agents.

"We are very concerned about European teams coming to Asia and leaving after collecting their money," AFC president Mohamed bin Hammam told Reuters. "They do nothing to help national associations or leave any kind of legacy behind. Clubs who want to tour Asia in future may have to go through the AFC. This would be our wish."

Real Madrid and Manchester United were among several top European sides to visit Asia for money-spinning pre-season tours in July. However, these visits to Asia have come under increasing criticism and Real were described by one Chinese newspaper as a "plague of locusts" for failing to give fans value for money. The Spanish club, who played games in China, Japan and Thailand, stopped over in Chicago and Los Angeles before the promotional trip that netted them around EU20m. Their punishing schedule took its toll on Real players who were exhausted by the time they arrived in the Far East.

Hammam backed up comments by FIFA general secretary Urs Linsi, who said tours by European teams were having a damaging effect on Asian leagues. "They are stars and role models so they have a moral obligation as well as a contractual obligation when they play here," said Hammam. "We are in no way against English or European teams coming to Asia. They can have a very positive effect on Asian football.