Coronavirus: A-League becomes sport’s latest casualty

The last major domino in the Australian sporting landscape has fallen, with the final rounds of the football season postponed.

Football Federation Australia (FFA) Chief Executive Officer James Johnson speaks to the media on Tuesday. Picture: Joel Carrett/AAP

The last major domino in the Australian sporting landscape has fallen, with Football Federation Australia announcing the final rounds of the A-League season have been postponed.

Monday night’s clash between the Newcastle Jets and Melbourne City will be the final A-League game for the foreseeable future.

The postponement follows decisions earlier in the week to cancel the AFL and the NRL in the face of the corona virus crisis.

FFA gave no date for a resumption of the competition but said the situation would be reviewed on April 22

FFA CEO James Johnson said: “Our priority is to ensure the safety of both the football community and the community at large. As each passing day raises additional concerns for the safety of both, it is imperative that we follow the lead of governments at national and state level and take the necessary precautionary and proactive measures and in doing so play our part in preventing the spread and impact of COVID-19.”

“To get so close to completing the competition, only to pull up a few weeks short, has been heartbreaking for the players, clubs and fans. That said, the health and safety of our fans, players, volunteers and staff has always been the overriding consideration for us.

“As the largest club-based participation sport with nearly two million participants, we have a clear and obvious duty to play our part in doing whatever we can to support the efforts to slow down the spread of COVID-19.”