Covid rocks A-Leagues yet again as another match postponed

The latest Covid variant continues to cause chaos across the Australian sporting landscape as one league postpones another game.

The Central Coast Mariners’ fixture against Macarthur is one of three A-League Men’s games that have been postponed due to Covid. Picture: Ashley Feder/Getty Images

Covid-19 outbreaks have caused chaos for the A-Leagues all week and on Thursday yet another men’s game was postponed.

Western United and Western Sydney Wanderers both cancelled press conferences on Thursday afternoon before the league confirmed the sides’ New Year’s Day clash would be postponed, as United continues to be rocked by positive test results.

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The A-League Women’s match between Melbourne City and the Newcastle Jets, scheduled for January 2, has also been scrapped for the time being.

The A-Leagues confirmed female players at City had tested positive but were feeling well.

“Our primary concern is for the health and safety of all players, staff and their families. All positive cases and those close to them are adhering to relevant state government health directives,” the A-Leagues said in a statement.

“The A-Leagues protocols continue to be effective for screening and subsequent PCR testing in detecting the virus and ensuring immediate isolation.

“We will continue to work with all clubs involved to confirm new schedules for the postponed matches as soon as possible.”

The Wanderers’ season is off to a disappointing start. Picture: Ashley Feder/Getty Images

The news comes after the A-League Men confirmed on Thursday that an additional three games would be postponed due to Covid-19.

Central Coast Mariners v Macarthur, Newcastle v Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory v Brisbane Roar have all been called off due to positive Covid tests.

It continues the recent run of A-League Men’s matches to be called off due to Covid, as four round 6 matches were postponed and only two were played.

The decision means it will be the second week in a row that Newcastle, Central Coast, Brisbane and Melbourne City have not played a game.

Such was the Covid outbreak among the Mariners, the team would have been “unable to field a side” in the event the match went ahead.

Brisbane also confirmed members of the team had contracted Covid and are self-isolating.

Melbourne City had previously confirmed a series of positive cases on December 22, but due to the number of cases, the A-Leagues felt that a postponement was necessary.

Both Melbourne City and Victory have had their round 7 fixtures postponed. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

As it stands, only one round 7 A-League Men’s match will go ahead: Adelaide United v Wellington Phoenix.

Sydney FC v Perth Glory had previously been postponed due to the Glory having to isolate in Queensland after a player tested positive, but the squad has since returned to Western Australia.