With lingering uncertainty over the A-League’s future, its players – especially those currently stood down – are desperate for clarity.
An FFA assessment of the A-League’s status during the COVID-19 pandemic was set to be finalised on Wednesday but an update isn’t expected until Thursday.
The competition was suspended in late March and seven of the 11 clubs – bar Melbourne Victory, Melbourne City, Sydney FC and Wellington – have stood down players.
There is also uncertainty over host broadcaster Foxtel’s ongoing commitment.
“FFA came out and spoke when we stopped playing and we haven’t heard a thing since,” Perth Glory goalkeeper Liam Reddy told AAP.
(Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
“It’s quite frustrating that the FFA haven’t been able to come out and clarify anything with the broadcaster about what the next step is.
“That’s caused a lot of issues with players’ well-being.”
Players are eligible for the JobKeeper package but Reddy said he, and others, were still awaiting financial relief.
“We haven’t received anything in our bank accounts, which adds to it (the anxiety) unfortunately,” he said.
Reddy, 38, said seeing other codes negotiate pay deals and discuss plans to return to training had frustrated footballers.
“We’re not silly, we know the game’s suffering financially like everything else and we won’t be immune to that as a game and as players,” Reddy said.
“But just to be able to sit down and negotiate would be nice. We see the other codes going into that dialogue with their governing bodies.”
Reddy believed the season could be completed but emphasised there was ongoing uncertainty for players, with many uncontracted after May 31.
“About 90-95 per cent of Australian footballers can probably go one, maybe two months without pay – after that, we’re going to have to look for other jobs,” he said.
“We’re not paid like the NRL and AFL players are paid and we’re definitely not paid like European players.
“Anxiety levels are very high because players have families to support.
“Players are now looking at other options in terms of work and there’s not a lot of work out there at the moment.
“That’s just building the anxiety because we’re getting no feedback from the FFA or Fox on what the future holds.”
Blood Dragon
Roar Rookie
i think that is the most likely scenario at this point through finals will be behind closed doors as possibly at one neutral venue to minimize travel
Samuel Power
Roar Rookie
Ah yes, forgot about that. How stupid of the A-League to have an odd number of teams competing. Either both Western and Macarthur should've been introduced this season or next season, at the same time, not in seperate seasons.
Kevin
Roar Rookie
Im very unhappy with the FFA’s lack of communication with players and fans alike, when compared to the AFL and NRL. The NRL announced a resumption date, and the least the FFA couldve done was announce a definite plan, whether they scrap the season, condense the fixture or what. But they announced virtually nothing today.
Kevin
Roar Rookie
Not the best idea as Mel City has played 23 games while Glory has only played 20 games. I made a condensed fixture where each team loses 2 games, and then remaining games are played across a two week period in Sydney so each team plays 24 games in total. Then, the top two teams play in a grand final on the third weekend.
Chopper
Guest
Obviously the funding is a huge part of the equation. The clubs that have furloughed players will need to pay them as soon as they start back at training and of course some of the players are not in the country at present (some of the coaches also) so they will need to do the 14 day quarantine. The Phoenix also have their own set of rules in New Zealand to overcome. What interests me the most is whether Fox have or intend to honour their contractual agreement because if not, I and quite a lot of other supporters may wish to terminate our Foxtel agreements. Currently I have been paying for a Sports component which is non existant and that may also give me the impetus to swerve away from Telstra and go to Optus because at least I will get good football coverage.
Samuel Power
Roar Rookie
This is what I think should happen. - Sydney FC crowned premiers. - Top 6 stays as it is, finals start in June
Simon Kelly
Roar Pro
Well we've heard from the FFA today, but nothing really of any substance. The deafening silence over the Fox money is a major worry. Surely discussions must be going on behind the scenes as to wether Fox are going to stump up the cash and continue on.
Harry Selassie
Roar Rookie
I certainly cannot fault Reddy for expressing his frustration. I would feel the same if I were a player. Hopefully at some point before the week is over we will hear something from FFA.