FFA says A-League and W-League fixtures are open to supporters

This weekend’s A-League and W-League games will go ahead with crowds despite concerns over the coronavirus outbreak.

FFA head of leagues Greg O’Rourke. Picture: AAP

This weekend’s A-League and W-League games will go ahead with crowds despite concerns over the coronavirus outbreak.

Brisbane will host Central Coast on Friday night, kicking off five A-League matches this weekend, while there will also be two W-League semi-finals. The FFA said based on state and federal government direction, along with advice from their chief medical officer and club doctors, they had opted to go ahead with the games and they will not be held behind closed doors.

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FFA head of leagues Greg O’Rourke said those measures are “scalable”, including the potential for games to be played behind closed doors if the situation escalated, based on government advice.

If the W-League finals are ultimately postponed, a number of teams would be likely to lose personnel to European, Asian or American clubs before a potential rescheduled series could be played.

Meanwhile, the FFA has established a multi-stakeholder working group to consider the impacts of the coronavirus on other competitions – including the FFA Cup, National Premier Leagues and grassroots community football.

FFA chief executive James Johnson said in a statement: “Following the advice from the government, our sport has acted quickly, and as one, to respond to the public health threat from the COVID-19 Coronavirus.

“All matches in the Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-League will proceed as planned this weekend, and all other football competitions administered by state and territory bodies can proceed as planned. The situation from Monday will be reviewed in line with the very latest government advice from the National Cabinet.

“In line with government advice, the decision has also been made to suspend all international travel by our national teams.

“These are unprecedented times and football will continue to place the highest priority on the health and wellbeing of all players, fans, officials, staff and the wider football community at all levels of the game,” Johnson added.

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