AFL fans could be barred for weeks

Thursday night’s AFL season-opener will be played to empty stands as fans brace for the possibility of weeks of crowd-less matches.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has bowed to the advice of medical experts in declaring the season-opener fan-free. Picture: Getty Images

Thursday night’s AFL season-opener between Richmond and Carlton, which traditionally ­attracts 90,000 people, will be played to empty stands as fans brace for the possibility of weeks of crowd-less matches.

Amid an unprecedented crisis for football and its commercial interests, league chiefs ­decided to go ahead with round one without the predicted crowds of more than 350,000 across the nine games.

The league said on Friday spectators would no longer be admitted into stadiums for any AFL or AFLW games until further notice.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said the decision was based on the advice of medical ­experts, who also believed there was “potential for interruption across the season”.

He said the situation remained fluid and left open the possibility that the AFL’s plan could change.

“We have said from the outset that we will rely on the advice of the medical experts who have been planning to deal with this situation for some time and we will continue to make decisions based on the advice of the chief medical officers,” Mr McLachlan said.

“I am disappointed for our fans but we cannot put them in a situation that potentially jeopardises the health and well-being of the whole community.

“The landscape is changing quickly, each organisation has their own set of challenges, but our clubs, players, officials and fans know that the health and safety of all is the No 1 priority.”

Officials have reportedly contacted the Melbourne Cricket Club to see if finals could be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in mid-October, with the first games of the T20 cricket World Cup to begin on October 18.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire said clubs had been awaiting more information from the AFL about the “pros and cons” of either delaying the season or playing in empty stadiums before the decision was made. “Clearly, the supporters are as important as the players,” Mr McGuire said.

Hawthorn counterpart Jeff Kennett said such decisions needed to be based on the advice provided by experts. “It doesn’t matter whether it’s the Formula One or whether it’s your newsroom, we’ve got to ­accept their decision ­because at the end of the day they have more experience and information than we do,” he said.

There has already been speculation on how the season would unfold if games were cancelled.

Former Swans star Jude Bolton suggested the AFL structure a 17-round season in which clubs play one game against each team, which he said would “heighten the pressure on each game”.

The AFL’s decision meant Friday night’s AFLW game between Geelong and North Melbourne was the last to allow spectators to attend for the foreseeable future.

Clubs wrote to AFLW fans last night to inform them of the ban.

Cricket Australia has banned crowds from the one-day international matches against New Zealand, including Friday’s game at the SCG. The women’s tour of South ­Africa, which was to take place later this month, has also been suspended.

The Perth Wildcats NBL game against the Sydney Kings was also played behind closed doors on Friday night.

All English Premier League games have been suspended until April 4, and European Champions League games have been postponed.