Man Utd join Real Betis in 'green' San Diego event

Liverpool played Real Betis in front of 42,679 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh

Real Betis chief executive Ramon Alarcon accepts an environmental initiative called ‘The Greenest Game’ being held before their fixture with Manchester United in San Diego does not address the bigger impact of overseas pre-season tours.

Alarcon will be part of a delegation, including former United striker Andrew Cole, that will announce a partnership to clean up Mission Valley, an ecological preserve located along the San Diego River.

In addition, Betis will be handing out biodegradable bags at Wednesday's game with United at the Snapdragon Stadium to encourage fans to clean up their litter.

The players will drink from green reusable bottles to raise awareness about the problems facing the environment.

Alarcon insists he is passionate about the environment and is aware he could be accused of double standards.

By the time they return from the United States at the end of this week, Real Betis will have travelled 11,357 miles for two pre-season games, starting with their 1-0 defeat by Liverpool in Pittsburgh.

That would put them eighth in the Premier League's list of most air miles travelled during pre-season - and doesn't include two additional trips to Germany after their US tour.

Manchester United - with pre-season trips to Norway, Scotland and the US - were top of the air miles travelled table.

"Our idea is to try and use the power of football to help promote environmental issues, which is not something local that only relates to Real Betis and Manchester United," Alarcon told BBC Sport.

"The environment is important for everyone. It affects the whole world. This is why it is very important that two teams who have nothing to do with San Diego but are coming here to play, say 'OK, we are here, we know we are doing damage to the environment, this is what we are going to do to try and help'.

"When we talk about green issues it doesn't mean you can have zero emissions. For that, the best thing would be not to do anything. When you play in Europe or internationally, there is only one way to travel; by plane."

Frank Huisingh, founder of Fossil Free Football called the initiative "ridiculous", pointing out United's co-owner Ineos is a petrochemical company.

He said: "Flying is the most polluting form of travel. A game for which two teams fly to the other side of the world can thus never be green. We are also well past the time for "raising awareness" through reusable water bottles.

"If Manchester United and Real Betis are serious, and they should be, they should stop doing international tours like this and organise a green game against a team from their region."