Adelaide United union delegate Stefan Mauk says majority of players want to see out rest of A-League season despite pandemic
The A-League is contemplating a tournament-style ending to the season because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to Adelaide United’s players’ union delegate Stefan Mauk.
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Adelaide United’s playing group is divided over the right to play on during the coronavirus pandemic.
As the A-League contemplates a tournament-style ending to the season, Adelaide’s players’ union delegate Stefan Mauk said some players are worried about the impact the pandemic could have on their families.
“There’s a couple of people who are a little bit concerned and that’s speaking to the PFA (union), they said ‘no player can be forced to play’,’’ Mauk said.
“If they don’t feel comfortable, they’re more than happy to sit it out, that’s the situation.
“But most of the players are happy to go ahead with it knowing that if we do delay it now, when the season will finish and what are the ramifications of not finishing the season – who knows what could happen.
“We’re in a lucky situation compared to the AFL and NRL that are just starting.”
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Mauk said Adelaide’s Dutch coach Gertjan Verbeek was also worried about playing on.
The Netherlands government on Sunday ordered schools, nurseries, food and beverage outlets – hotels excluded – and sports and fitness clubs to shut down until April 6.
“I think he (Verbeek) is looking at the incidents that have happened in Holland and seeing how it’s progressed,’’ Mauk said.
“He’s a bit concerned about Australia becoming like that, I don’t know 100 per cent what his exact view is.”
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A-League officials were in constant meetings working out plans to get the season finished.
Mauk said an option is keeping the majority of A-League clubs’ players and match officials in one or two cities – Sydney and Melbourne – in a bid to condense the competition, similar to tournament-style football.
He added all teams and officials being housed together in a capital city after this weekend where Adelaide has a bye could be on the cards.
One of the major amendments to the draw was Brisbane Roar hosting Newcastle Jets on the Gold Coast on Friday.
That clash has been brought forward because Melbourne Victory and Wellington Phoenix – who were scheduled to face Roar and Sydney FC respectively this weekend – have been forced into a 14-day self-isolation.
Both sides arrived in Australia after facing off last Sunday in New Zealand after the Federal Government enforced a mandatory 14-day quarantine period for all international arrivals from midnight Sunday.
“The worry is the unknown of when it’s going to get better,’’ Mauk said.
“(What needs to be determined is) when we play the games, (how we) reach our obligations getting a certain amount of games done, and what needs to be done to at least have the TV money secured.
“That’s something us as players we need to respect as well.
“Fox Sports are giving a lot to the game.
“We need to play the games, airports are open to travel interstate, and the government and the health minister wouldn’t be putting us at risk if they didn’t think it was okay for us to travel.”
Adelaide’s clash against Melbourne City away on March 27 is likely to go ahead, but A-League officials will reconvene after this weekend’s matches to discuss the future of the competition.
A-League officials made a number of amendments to the draw on Wednesday, but Adelaide at this stage isn’t affected.