Fresh coronavirus concerns for Matildas Olympic qualifiers and AFC Champions League games

The reverberations from the coronavirus epidemic could go on for weeks, with doubts over the Matildas’ Olympic qualifiers and questions about Sydney FC’s upcoming clash with Shanghai SIPG.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 29: Matilda Elise Kellond-Knight speaks during an Australia Matildas media opportunity at Bankwest Stadium on January 29, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brook Mitchell/Getty Images)

• Arnold seeks route through fixture jam
• Del Piero lined up for charity comeback

The reverberations for Australian football from the coronavirus epidemic could go on for weeks, with the Matildas’ Olympic qualifiers next week still shrouded in chaos and questions now arising over Sydney FC’s Asian Champions League game with Shanghai SIPG next month.

Football Federation Australia is now hopeful it will get dispensation from FIFA to extend the international window and allow the four teams supposed to be playing Olympic qualifiers to stay longer if required, beyond the final round of games on February 9.

But with the Chinese women’s team stuck in isolation in a Brisbane hotel until at least Wednesday, there was still no idea late on Thursday of if and when the qualifiers scheduled for Monday, Thursday and Sunday next week will go ahead.

Watch LIVE coverage of the Westfield Matildas in the 2020 AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifiers with KAYO. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Elise Kellond-Knight praised the AFC and FFA for ‘putting player welfare at the forefront.’

Queensland Health officials said the team would be allowed to train in the interim once suitable facilities could be found, but currently the team won’t be able to travel to Sydney in time for the first of its three qualifiers.

Under the normal rules of international windows, players have to return to their clubs the morning after the final date.

But unless the Chinese party of players and staff is granted permission to move earlier to Sydney, they face the prospect of playing three games in four days without an extension to the window.

Chinese Taipei and Thailand, the other two teams in the qualifying pool, are both due to fly to Australia imminently, with FFA officla rushing to try a way through the impasse by Friday.

In a written statement, a spokesperson for the China team said it “understands the concern of (the) Queensland government, the media and local people over the risk of coronavirus affection and will work closely with all stakeholders to fulfil all the quarantine requirements.

“The team appreciates for the support by the Football Federation of Australia and the Queensland authorities and is convinced that solutions will be found.”

Nor will the effects of the virus end there, with travel restrictions into and around China tightening by the day.

The Asian Football Confederation has already switched games in the Asian Champions League away from China, and it’s understood the AFC has been trying to document the movements of players in teams such as Shanghai SIPG who are due to play overseas when the ACL begins in less than a fortnight.

Any players who have been to Wuhan, the city at the centre of the outbreak, or other restricted areas could be prevented from travelling, while there is speculation over the potential for a broader ban on travel into and out of China.

Shanghai are due to play Sydney FC on February 12 at Jubilee Stadium, bringing with them some of the biggest stars in Asian football.

Originally published as Fresh coronavirus concerns for Matildas Olympic qualifiers and AFC Champions League games