Football Federation Australia (FFA) has today issued the following statement regarding the impact of COVID-19 upon this weekend’s football:
Football Federation Australia (FFA) has this afternoon confirmed that football matches scheduled for this weekend, 13/14/15 March 2020, can proceed as planned. This includes Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-League matches, National Premier League Men’s and Women’s, FFA Cup, and community football matches.
A National COVID-19 Working Committee, established to address the increasing threat of COVID-19 to football in Australia, comprising representatives from FFA, the Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-Leagues, Member Federations and Professional Footballers Australia, took the decision in consultation with the Federal Government, following advice to ban all non-essential, organised gatherings of 500 people or more from Monday.
FFA Chief Executive Officer James Johnson said “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.
FFA will give regular updates to the football community as its COVID-19 Working Committee meets to consider advice received from government health authorities.
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