Australian clubs nervous about travelling to Qatar for the AFC Champions League will go fearing hefty penalties if they don’t

Threat of bans and fines have left A-League clubs with little choice but to fulfil their AFC Champions League commitments in Qatar.

Rhyan Grant is congratulated by Sydney FC teammates after scoring in the A-League grand final. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

A-League clubs will reluctantly travel to Qatar for the AFC Champions League to avoid hefty fines and a two-year ban from the competition.

Sydney FC, Melbourne Victory and Perth Glory squads and staff head to the Qatar capital of Doha next week for the condensed competition of the 2020 Champions League.

Player and staff welfare is a huge concern due to COVID-19, particularly following a coronavirus outbreak in a “medical bubble” during the competition matches involving the Asian region’s western clubs in September.

Global players’ union FIFPRO expressed their concern after being asked to intervene by Professional Footballers Australia and players organisations from other nations.

It's only a bit of rain 👍👍#SydneyIsSkyBlue #Premi4rs #Champion5 pic.twitter.com/Q0pAFl96aM

— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) November 5, 2020

“FIFPRO is disappointed and concerned by the lack of consultation of professional footballers in the scheduling of the AFC Champions League in Qatar and the planning of COVID-19 protocols,” FIFPRO said in a statement.

“These matters have implications for their mental and physical health as well as their participation in domestic leagues.

“Neither FIFPRO nor our affiliated player associations in Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and South Korea – which together represent players from 12 of the 16 competing clubs – were asked about the competition for the eastern AFC region prior to the announcement.

“Players due to compete in the three-week competition in Qatar from November 18 have expressed concerns to their national player associations about travelling during the pandemic and having to face a two-week quarantine period on their return that will keep them apart from their families, or interfere with their participation in domestic championships and training.”

FIFPRO is disappointed and concerned by the lack of consultation of professional footballers in the scheduling of the AFC Champions League in Qatar and the planning of COVID-19 protocols. #afc2020 #COVID19

STATEMENT👇https://t.co/WNa80KT8WK pic.twitter.com/qP3EpyUQ9R

— FIFPRO (@FIFPro) November 4, 2020

However, despite the players’ concerns they will travel to Qatar.

A PFA spokesman said clubs had little option but to travel due to the threat of a two-year ban for withdrawing from the competition, a $50,000 fine and having to pay costs for already organised accommodation and travel expenses.

Apart from COVID-19 fears, the Sydney, Victory and Glory squads face the prospect of spending Christmas in hotel quarantine away from their families depending on how far they progress through the tournament.

The PFA and Football Coaches Australia have also written a joint letter to Football Federation Australia seeking assurances on concerns over travelling to a high-risk country, COVID-19 protocols in the AFC Champions League bubble, insurance coverage, preparations for the 2020-21 A-League season schedule to start on December 27, and procedures for clubs when returning to Australia.