Perth Glory lose hosting rights for FFA Cup playoff against Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory don’t have to travel to Perth for their FFA Cup playoff against the Glory, but they won’t be playing at home either.
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Melbourne Victory’s bid to contest this year’s FFA Cup has been boosted by Football Australia’s decision to strip Perth Glory of home-ground advantage for the playoff between the two A-League clubs.
Two A-League teams won’t take part in this year’s Cup, with playoffs involving the bottom four sides of last season to determine the two that qualify for the round of 32 and which two miss out.
Having finished ninth last season, the Glory were due to host the Victory, the 2020-21 A-League wooden spooners.
However, due to border restrictions between Victoria and Western Australia, FA has decided to shift the match to Adelaide venue Marden Sports Complex on November 24.
It’s a compromise of sorts after Glory owner Tony Sage’s refusal to play the match in Victoria and his call for the Victory – who are coached by ex-Perth mentor Tony Popovic – to forfeit the match.
Glory chief executive Tony Pignata said the club was disappointed “at not being able to fulfil the fixture in Perth as originally scheduled”.
“Unfortunately, the border restrictions currently in place have made it effectively impossible for this game to be played here in WA,” Pignata said.
“Therefore, in order to uphold the integrity of the competition, we have agreed to play against Melbourne Victory on neutral territory in Adelaide.
“This is obviously very disappointing for everyone associated with Perth Glory, but we hope that our members and fans will understand that the club’s hand has been forced by circumstances beyond its control.”
The other playoff between last season’s 10th and 11th-placed teams – Western United and Newcastle Jets – will be played at Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium on Saturday week.
The winner of the Glory-Victory clash will meet NPL South Australia club Adelaide City in the round of 32 in December.
United’s preparations for the upcoming A-League season continued on Monday with a 1-1 trial draw against Melbourne City.
Socceroos star Mathew Leckie gave City a first-half lead before veteran defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley equalised for United in the second half.
Originally published as Perth Glory lose hosting rights for FFA Cup playoff against Melbourne Victory
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