Premier League clubs have encountered a distinctly competitive edge during their preparations for the 2026-27 season, with a series of pre-season matches producing red cards, mass confrontations and controversial challenges.
What are traditionally viewed as warm-up games have instead featured several flashpoints involving players, coaching staff and even entire teams, as Daily Mail Sport examines the incidents that have made headlines.
Sandro Tonali made an immediate impression in a Tottenham Hotspur shirt during a behind-closed-doors meeting with Spanish side Getafe.
The Italy international, who joined Tottenham from Newcastle United in a £100m deal this summer, reacted angrily after a late challenge from Getafe defensive midfielder Mario Martin. Tonali appeared to take exception to what he considered a reckless attempt to win the ball, following Martin upfield before touching the Spaniard’s chest several times in an ill-tempered exchange.
A brief confrontation then developed, with Tottenham defender Ben Davies and new arrivals Andrew Robertson and Jan Paul van Hecke stepping in to separate the players.
Anthony Elanga’s preparations for the new campaign were interrupted when the Newcastle United winger was taken off on a stretcher after a serious challenge from Valencia captain Jose Gaya.
Gaya was shown a straight red card, while the tackle triggered a confrontation involving players from both teams. Elanga looked visibly distressed as he was carried from the field, although Newcastle manager Matthias Jaissle later offered some reassurance by saying the injury was not as severe as initially feared.
Newcastle finished 12th in the Premier League last season, and with a number of their leading players having been recruited by other clubs over the past year, supporters will be hoping Elanga can play a significant role in improving their fortunes.
Chelsea’s tour of the Far East also descended into disorder during a match in Malaysia against Johor Darul Ta’zim.
Striker Liam Delap was the victim of a heavy challenge involving Johor Darul Ta’zim defender Antonio Cristian in a game that included repeated shirt-pulling, forceful tackles and several heated exchanges. Tensions reached their highest point when Cristian made a reckless attempt to play the ball through Delap.
The match ended in confusion after Johor Darul Ta’zim’s players declined to take part in the penalty shootout that has become a regular feature of many pre-season games this summer. The decision followed a six-goal contest that had already produced seven yellow cards.
Chelsea set-piece coach Austin MacPhee was also involved in a confrontation, appearing to argue with a member of the Johor Darul Ta’zim bench as the teams made their way towards the tunnel.
There was further controversy in southern Spain, where Bournemouth and Real Betis finished their encounter with two players dismissed.
Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott and former Manchester United forward Antony were both sent off after a brawl that began when Colombian midfielder Nelson Deossa struck the ball towards Bournemouth’s Bafode Diakite.
Players from both sides became involved as the dispute intensified. Scott and Antony were dismissed after aggressively pushing each other, although both had arrived late to the incident and their actions were no more serious than those of some of their team-mates.
Bournemouth supporters can at least take comfort from the fact that red cards shown in pre-season do not lead to suspensions in competitive matches. Antony will therefore be available for the club’s opening Premier League fixture against Manchester City.
Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa was the only member of either team to be sent off during the club’s penultimate pre-season match.
The Spaniard was visibly unhappy after the hosts were awarded a contentious penalty in the 89th minute. Arbeloa shook his head on the bench while his players appeared to react with disbelieving smiles.
After the final whistle, Arbeloa entered the pitch to protest angrily against the referee’s decision and was dismissed. Fulham’s players then followed him into the dressing room, refusing to take part in the anticipated penalty shootout and forfeiting the match.
Arbeloa took charge after a difficult spell at Real Madrid last season. His appointment in west London has already prompted questions over whether such an inexperienced manager was the right choice, particularly after the high-profile departures of Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez.
Liverpool’s pre-season meeting with Wrexham in the United States also ended with tensions between team-mates.
A dispute broke out after stand-in captain Dominik Szoboszlai was substituted and the players disagreed over who should take the armband. Curtis Jones, who is wanted by Inter Milan, approached Szoboszlai after the final whistle to challenge his decision to pass it to Kostas Tsimikas.
The disagreement escalated between the three players, with Tsimikas eventually throwing the armband to the ground.
Liverpool are attempting to recover from a disappointing season under Arne Slot, while the departures of experienced figures Mohamed Salah and Andrew Robertson have added to concerns about the squad’s leadership. The pre-season incidents have done little to dispel the suggestion that the Reds may have problems to resolve before the competitive campaign begins.
