Football SA suspends all men’s, women’s and junior soccer matches across the state in response to coronavirus pandemic
Football SA has suspended all men’s, women’s and junior soccer competitions across the state for the next 14 days in a bid to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
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Local soccer competitions across the state have been suspended for the next 14 days in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Football SA announced on Monday afternoon that all senior men’s, women’s and junior matches would be temporarily postponed in a bid to prevent the spread of the disease.
The governing body also recommended clubs and associations cancel training sessions during the next fortnight.
It follows a Football Federation Australia directive that all grassroots leagues could continue, but with conditions aimed at limiting people at matches and the potential for infection.
The national measures also allowed for competition administrators in each state to consider and respond to local factors, an opening FSA has acted upon.
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Chief executive Michael Carter said the move followed the latest advice from the Federal Government and supported the ban on mass gatherings exceeding 500 people.
“Football South Australia advises all clubs and associations that, effective immediately, it is suspending all scheduled fixtures in the following Football South Australia administered competitions for a period of 14 days,” Carter said in a memorandum.
“This decision has taken into account the impact of the playing matches behind closed doors, the availability of teams, officials, volunteers as well as feedback and input from players, parents and club and association officials in relation to what is appropriate for their respective broader football community.
“In addition, it is the recommendation of Football SA that all clubs’ and associations’ training should also be suspended for this period of time.
“Football South Australia intends to use the period of suspension to further consult with its clubs and associations, health experts, government and the FFA’s national framework.
“We will consider potential options to reactivate our competitions, including reformatting or
extending scheduled seasons as we are better informed and placed to make those decisions.”
The suspension extends to senior, reserves and under-18 fixtures in the men’s and women’s National Premier Leagues SA, as well as State League One and Two.
Round one fixtures in the FFA Cup SA, scheduled to kick-off this weekend, have also been postponed, as well as women’s divisions one to six.
All junior Premier and State League games, along with Miniroos competitions and gala days, have been called off.
The action comes after several SA clubs, including MetroStars, Adelaide Comets and Sturt Lions, had already cancelled this week’s training sessions.
Saturday’s NPL clash between Adelaide Olympic and Adelaide United youth was postponed, after a Reds reserves player came into contact with a schoolmate who had coronavirus.
FFA announced on Monday morning that the A-League would continue, with the remainder of the season to be played in a condensed period behind closed doors.
State-based competitions were also permitted to remain, provided participants have no flu-like symptoms, have not been in contact with anyone with COVID-19 and have not travelled internationally in the past 14 days.
FFA said only essential individuals, such as players, coaches, match officials and volunteers, should attend games, as well as only one parent or guardian per junior.
Matches across most of Europe’s leading competitions, including England, Italy, Spain, Germany and France, have already been put on hold indefinitely.