A-League: Brisbane Roar players stood down without pay

Brisbane Roar have followed the lead of Perth Glory by standing down their playing squad without pay.

Brisbane Roar coach Robbie Fowler returned to the UK last week. On Monday, the club decided to stand down players without pay. Picture: Getty Images

Brisbane Roar have followed the lead of Perth Glory by standing down their playing squad without pay.

With the A-League suspended at least until April 22, and almost certainly longer due to the coronavirus crisis, the club has also stood down its football department.

Roar head coach Robbie Fowler and his right-hand man, technical director Tony Grant, returned home to England last Thursday, and are unsure when they will fly back to Queensland.

Those stood down were told of their fate on Monday by Roar chief executive David Pourre.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has meant that Brisbane Roar FC Pty Ltd, like all Australian businesses, are facing unprecedented economic challenges,” said Chris Fong, Roar vice-chairman and adviser to the club’s owners, Indonesian conglomerate the Bakrie Group.

“We are working through the specific decisions that have to be made to best preserve our future and that of the professional game in Australia.

“Until the 22nd of April, Brisbane Roar FC, as with other clubs, have stood down players and returned them to be with their families, and to train individually.

“If and when the season is able to resume all teams, will be ready and able to compete.”

It’s understood Central Coast Mariners players and staff were also stood down on Monday.

Other A-League clubs are expected to announce similar measures in the coming days as the financial implications of the competition’s postponement hits hard.

Professional Football Australia has already threatened legal action against Glory owner Tony Sage if he fails to reinstate the Perth playing staff.

The A-League was suspended last Tuesday after travel restrictions caused by the coronavirus outbreak ended hopes of the final rounds of the season being condensed and finished in three to four weeks.

The Newcastle Jets confirmed last Saturday that one of their players had tested positive to coronavirus.

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