Central Coast coach Graham Arnold has accused the A-League’s decision makers of compromising player welfare by forcing teams to compete in extreme heat.
Arnold has called for Professional Footballers Association to step in and take up the issue with Football Federation Australia after the Mariners and Glory were ordered to play in stifling Perth heat on Sunday.
On a day where the maximum reached 41.1C, the temperature was still hovering above 36C at the 4.30pm kick-off time.
Central Coast’s doctor had asked for the match to be pushed back to 5.30pm; an outcome Arnold was also keen to achieve.
But their efforts were in vain and Perth eventually won the match 1-0 after a goalkeeping blunder from Mathew Ryan gifted an easy goal to Travis Dodd in the 25th minute.
The A-League’s heat concessions allowed for a two-minute drinks break midway through each half.
But it wasn’t enough to satisfy Arnold, who believed player welfare had been compromised by not delaying the game.
“For me, I just want some sense. It’s crazy playing football in those conditions,” Arnold said.
“There were two doctors and a match commissioner who made the decision.
“When our doctor turned up … he said the match should be delayed by an hour. It’s too hot. It’s 42 degrees on my phone.
“There used to be a rule in the old NSL that you couldn’t kick off before six o’clock in summer. I don’t know where that rule’s gone.
“For me I could see from the sides that both teams were shot. I just worry about player welfare. Maybe it’s something the PFA need to look at.
“Again, it’s not an excuse. It’s just common sense. I’m not a sore loser at all.”
Arnold blamed the stifling conditions for the suspected cracked rib suffered by Glory skipper Jacob Burns, who copped an accidental elbow from Mariners defender Josh Rose.
“That Jacob Burns injury probably wouldn’t have happened in a game of normal (conditions) because he would have been able to get out of the way, or Josh Rose would have been able to get out of the way,” Arnold said.
“But because they’re over-fatigued, and their brains aren’t functioning properly and their reflexes aren’t as sharp, that’s what happens.”
The Mariners, with just one win from their past seven A-League fixtures, are now just two points clear of second-placed Brisbane.
Arnold was hopeful striker Bernie Ibini (twisted knee) would be fit to tackle Adelaide at Bluetongue Stadium on Saturday.
Perth, who leapfrogged Wellington into third spot on the table, will be without suspended pair Steve Pantelidis and Josh Mitchell for Sunday’s away clash with Gold Coast, while Burns is almost certain to miss as well.
David Jones
Roar Rookie
It wasn't 40 degrees when they played. The temperature was around 35 degrees when they kicked off and fell to 31.2 when the final whistle sounded. I'd imagine its largely due to Fox sports programming and the fact that Perth is 3 hours behind the East Coast of Australia. It could have been played later, but the 4:30 kick off puts them in 7:30 prime time on the East Coast. It is a bit hot to play when it gets over 30, but its not fatal for professionals and especially with regular drinks breaks. They played a few League and AFL games in those temperatures and even hotter, especially trial games in the country.
Roarsome
Guest
Arnie, you'll need a jacket next week. Wellington can get quite chilly. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
Some coaches only seem to slam rules after they are negatively affected by them; ever notice that?
jbinnie
Guest
As explained elsewhere in these columns recently the original ideas contained in the submission for 'summer soccer" were made around 1984/85 and there is no doubt that one of the most important parts of that submission was that the matches would be played under floodlights (if required) with a starting time of 6.00/6.30pm.This had reasoning behind it for another of the main reasons was to 'segregate" our "top" soccer league from that played all across the country at both senior and junior levels in "winter" thus releasing that potential market,existing interested parties,from having to make a decision,play or watch. Unfortunately by the time that the "fathers" came round to implementing this idea 89/90 most of these ideas had been "shelved" the maim reason being proposed as to get "away" from RL and AFL competition (see Wikipedia), which, although in the original concept, was in fact a very minor part of the whole. So Graham,although you must have heard of the original concept, your 6.00pm start was never made mandatory by the men at the top. Has much changed in 20 years of "progress" ???? jb.
Wasp
Guest
To play in that condition is both uncomfortable and can be damaging to the players. Also with the groun with little cover for fans, who are going to attend a match in this heat. They would cosider the beach, a shopping centre well before what we all know would be a walk fest. No one can maintain the usual expected tempo in 36 dgrees. I am surprised over 6,000 turned up to suffer the conditions.
Midfielder
Guest
Could not agree more and feel the TV broadcast over rode player welfare... Leaving aside all other issues when a doctor warns about a problem and asks for a one hour delay and it is over ruled then someone needs to explain why... Travis Dod on TWG last night said he asked the PFA to have the game delayed as well... I can only assume the PFA also requested a delay ... This has nothing to do with winning or lossing its silmply about players not getting hurt...
Philip Coates
Roar Guru
Dont often agree with Arnie but on this occasion he is right. Expecting players to run around in 40 degree heat is ludicrous for the player safety and for the speed and quality of the game. 4:30pm summer kick-offs should be banned.
aleagueaddict
Guest
We've heard it all before from Arnold, haven't we? Who can forget similar excuses when he was in charge of the Socceroos and the Olyroos in Asian competitions and the wheels fell off. We never hear him whinge when he's winning games, do we? Typical.
aleagueaddict
Guest
We've heard it all before from Arnold, haven't we? Who can forget similar excuses when he was in charge of the Socceroos and the Olyroos in Asian competitions and the wheels fell off. We never hear him whinge when he's winning games, do we? Typical.