All of Australia’s major sporting codes are now on hold, after the FFA officially announced it would be suspending the A-League season, effective immediately.
As was expected when last night the FFA scheduled a major announcement for this morning, CEO James Johnson confirmed the A-League has been called to a halt in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The decision was made unanimously by the state and territory member federations and the A-League clubs, with Johnson saying it was restrictions on travel, rather than medical advice about actually playing football, which led to the competition having to be paused.
It is the last of the country’s major sports to be postponed, after the AFL and NRL suspended their seasons on Sunday and Monday respectively.
“Our priority is to ensure the safety of both the football community and the community at large,” Johnson said.
“As each passing day raises additional concerns for the safety of both, it is imperative that we follow the lead of Governments at National and State level and take the necessary precautionary and proactive measures and in doing so play our part in preventing the spread and impact of COVID-19.
“The health and safety of our fans, players, volunteers and staff has always been the overriding consideration for us.
“That is fundamentally what led – with the unanimous support of the state and territory member federations – to the suspension of grassroots football until 14 April 2020. Today’s decision was equally difficult to make but it is borne from the same rationale.”
No timeframe has been put on the resumption of the competition, however Johnson said they will reassess on April 22. Likewise, there has been no limit placed on the latest date the A-League season could be concluded after resuming.
The FFA had already stopped last night’s scheduled encounter between Perth Glory and Western United due to the closure of Western Australia’s borders, however Newcastle’s home match against Melbourne City – who were already in NSW having played the Mariners last Friday – went ahead as planned, with the Jets winning 2-1. That game will be the last of any of the country’s elite football codes for quite some time.
AxeMaster
Roar Rookie
What about just playing the top 2 on the ladder right now, in a Grand final match up...winner take all, just before the new season starts in October, easy. Give Sydney F.C the Premiers plate cos they deserve it and can't be caught anyway then a G.F match against the second place team later this year.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
I completely agree with the sentiments of this article by Phil Micallef. Johnson is awake to the opportunity. "We need to talk about how we can do things better and if this provides us with an opportunity to do that we should take advantage of it," Johnson said.
Rosario FC
Guest
Can we ask FIFA for a loan?
peter ostle
Guest
The FFA were similar to the NRL: replaying King Cnut thinking they would win. On the issue of resumption, you have to remember that the 31st May is the last day of a contract year. This means that the clubs would have to resign all the players they have at the moment to resume the competition with the same squads. It could get very messy. If the league does not restart by the end of April I think it will be ended. Given the points lead Sydney FC have I think they should be declared the winners of the 'toilet seat'. As to the AFC competition I think that will not be resumed this year, but the other Australian team who might qualify could be by at the start of the calendar year chosen by the teams who are in 2nd - 9th having a knock-out series of games, similar to what occurs in the end of season play-offs. Winner joins Sydney in AFC Champions League, or the runner up if Wellington win. Further, whatever comes next needs to have a place for the resumption of the women's domestic league, and that the clubs should be told that to stay in the competition they will need to have a women's team.
AR
Guest
Stay safe all
Richo
Guest
Took way too long to reach a pretty obvious decision.
Nick
Roar Guru
Singapore Premier League is. It's being played behind closed doors...which honestly will look and feel no different to when "crowds" are there.
Jack George
Roar Guru
It's out there, but the Belarusian Premier League is still on. https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/coronavirus-has-ground-europe-to-a-halt-but-in-one-country-no-one-cares-and-football-continues/news-story/fe74fff9ac7ee66310b6b9e6707eeafb
coolncold
Roar Rookie
As banks are prepared for 6 months deferred re-payment, the best case scenario is A-league to resume in October. Hopefully, the 2019 to 2020 premiership and championship can be decided in October 2020 after A-league resumes. And the 2020 to 2021 A-league season starts in November 2020 with 12 teams and 2 encounters (home and away) making only 22 matches.
Nick Symonds
Guest
A-LEAGUE WAS SUSPENDED FOR "LOGISTICAL" REASONS - FOX SPORTS: [FFA CEO] Johnson revealed “mission complicated became mission impossible” once the Queensland and South Australian governments decided to close state boarders, making it very difficult for teams to travel. In addition to that, Melbourne Victory and Wellington Phoenix were already isolated after entering Australia from New Zealand last weekend. And this was the main reason for the league being suspended, rather than based on any specific or new medical advice. “The decision we took last night was mainly due to the logistical issues as a result of the border controls. We have been in daily contact with the deputy CMO (Chief Medical Officer). “We also have got our own CMO who has been giving advice and if at any time there was a risk that the players’ health and safety was a concern then we would have stopped immediately – but that’s not been the case. “There’s no health advice that told us that it’s not safe for the players to play.” - https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/a-league/aleague-contradicts-nrl-as-ceo-cites-logistics-not-health-as-real-reason-for-shutdown/news-story/39a0ad4e1226d381a052a66eee4c6d3a
Nick Symonds
Guest
THE WORLD GAME: Australian football will never get a better chance to be united - https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/australian-football-will-never-get-a-better-chance-to-be-united
coolncold
Roar Rookie
Visit this website and feel the situation. https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/ Since March the new coronavirus cases and deaths has increased exponentially. The A-league may need at least 6 months before it can resume. This idea is supported by the fact that banks defer loan repayments for six months due to coronavirus crisis. https://www.savings.com.au/home-loans/banks-to-defer-loan-payments-for-six-months
Simon
Guest
Any sporting leagues worldwide still going?
Chopper
Guest
Sadly we are all going to end up in lockdown before long. The UK announced it yesterday and if you read the draconian measures you realize how serious governments are taking this. I get stir crazy if I spend one whole day inside but the sobering thought that will keep me going is …. There are fellow supporters of this beautiful game that have watched it live for the last time. They will be taken by this pandemic. Stay safe...
Nemesis
Guest
A-League is the final competition to postpone the season. 99% of organised football was shut down a week ago. As James Johnson pointed out, football has been immersed in Coronavirus decisions for the past 2 months when the Women's Olympic team couldn't travel to Wuhan and the AFC Olympic Qualifiers were moved to Australia. It's the right decision. Not just because it sends the wrong message to the community to be organising frivolous group activities during these times, but also because for the health & safety of players, refs, coaching staff. I heard Melb City's coach didn't travel to Newcastle because he's in a high-risk category for the virus.
Franko
Guest
Postponed? Guys call it over. As much as it disappoints me, SFC are clearly the champs.
Nick Symonds
Guest
ABC NEWS: More than 300,000 cases now recorded worldwide The COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating, with more than 300,000 cases now recorded worldwide and infections reported from nearly every country. World Health Organisation director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus outlined the numbers: It took 67 days to go from one reported case to 100,000 cases Then it took only 11 days to reach 200,000 cases Then it took just four days to reach 300,000 cases