Chinese players due to play Matildas placed in isolation at Brisbane Airport
The Matildas’ Olympic qualifiers have been thrown into fresh chaos after the Chinese team due to play in next week’s tournament was put into isolation by health officials at Brisbane Airport.
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The Matildas’ Olympic qualifiers have been thrown into fresh chaos after the Chinese team due to play in next week’s tournament was put into isolation by health officials at Brisbane Airport.
Days after the qualifying games were switched from Wuhan to Sydney, in the wake of the coronavirus epidemic originating in the Chinese city, the whole Chinese squad and support staff are now being kept in their Brisbane hotel, away from other guests, until at least next Wednesday.
Australia is due to play China on Sunday week at Bankwest Stadium, in what is expected to be the pivotal game in a mini tournament also featuring Chinese Taipei and Thailand.
But China is due to play its first game against Thailand on Monday at Campbelltown Stadium, having travelled with an already weakened squad after four players were caught in the lockdown surrounding Wuhan.
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The four included experienced midfielder Wang Shuang and young star Yao Wei, but the whole squad had been training in Wuhan previously and Queensland Health officials ruled that they must be kept apart for the time being under an immediate change in government policy.
“(This is) to ensure they are appropriately isolated from other guests as well as staff and to ensure protocols are put in place to check their health and to keep them well,” said Steven Miles, Queensland Health Minister.
It remains unclear what will happen if the isolation period continues into next week, with players due to return to their clubs immediately after the final round of games on February 9 when the international window closes.
FFA may seek special dispensation from FIFA and the AFC to allow the tournament to continue with a slight delay.
It’s understood Football Federation Australia officials are liaising with the government to work through possible scenarios, but the schedule of games is already hugely tight with each team due to play on Monday, Thursday and Sunday next week.
The Chinese team was isolated after training in Wuhan for a week in anticipation of the games being played there as originally scheduled.
Though the squad then moved to another city, several players – the ones unable to travel – returned to Wuhan to visit families.
The six group matches were originally switched to Nanjing from Wuhan but once China withdrew as hosts at the weekend, Australia stepped in to host the games in Sydney.
The Matildas had been increasingly concerned at the prospect of travelling to China given the outbreak, which has now killed dozens and left thousands ill.
In a statement, FFA said it would not put tickets for the game on sale until it becomes clear whether they can be played.
“The health and wellbeing of all players, staff and spectators is of paramount importance to both FFA and the Asian Football Confederation,” FFA said.
“FFA is working with the Australian Government and AFC to explore the ramifications of this advice and how it may affect the staging of the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Qualifiers.
“As a result of these developments, which came to light following today‘s match schedule announcements, FFA will not be going on sale tomorrow with tickets for the tournament.”
Originally published as Chinese players due to play Matildas placed in isolation at Brisbane Airport