Lockdown in Australia: last top-flight Sports fixtures at risk

While the coronavirus crisis wiped out most top-flight sport across the world Australia had been defying the pandemic and staging matches behind closed doors – but now even those fixtures look to be at risk.

The Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Sunday that stringent measures including the closure of public venues including pubs, clubs, cinemas and others, and the Australian Football League, the governing body of Australian rules football, announced the postponement of the 2020 season after just one round.

A-League football and NRL rugby league did not immediately follow suit but Monday morning’s A-League clash between Perth Glory and Western United, due to be televised on BT Sport, was postponed late on Sunday night Western Australia time.

There was no word on Monday’s other scheduled fixture between Newcastle Jets and Melbourne City (8.30am) – New South Wales is three hours ahead of Perth and 11 hours ahead of the UK and Ireland.

The AFL, which kicked off the new season only last Thursday, has suspended all matches until May 31 while the women’s tournament, the AFLW, has been cancelled and no title will be awarded.

The NRL announced its intention to carry on but further developments looked likely.

Chief executive Todd Greenberg said on Sunday: “At this stage, our intent is to play on and we remain committed to the continuation of the 2020 season as far as government advice allows it.

“However, we understand the pace of the crisis is escalating rapidly and we need to remain flexible and conscious of community expectations.”

Football Federation of Australia CEO James Johnson said further action might be taken following Sunday’s Australian cabinet meeting, which finished late in the evening.

Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia and South Australia announced a range of measures that will come into force in the next few days to shut down non-essential services and travel.

However, former Australian rugby league captain Brad Fittler believed the NRL would be less affected.

“They [the AFL] have got two teams in Western Australia, two teams in South Australia, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne so it takes a lot of travel.

“If there is an advantage to the NRL it would be the fact that it is predominantly played in two states.” he said.

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