FFA Advice on COVID-19 Impact on Football
Please find following latest information from FFA.
As you would be aware, the Federal Government has banned all non essential gatherings of 500 or more people from Monday. Northern NSW Football have advised that they will be issuing further guidance for Community Football in the next week and we will be guided by their advice.
In the meantime, can we suggest the following common sense protocols.
People with cold and flu symptoms should not interact with the team
People in close contact with those with cold and flu symptoms should not interact with the team
Do NOT share water bottles
Wash hands regularly – soap and water is effective
No handshakes pre and post match
Teams should avoid close proximity in the sheds – out door team talks?
Spectators should be encouraged to spread out – not congregate together
As mentioned above, NNSWF will issue a more formal directive in due course, however the advice above reflects the best information we have been able to obtain to date.
Sent: Friday, 13 March 2020 6:22 PM Subject: FFA Statement on COVID-19 impact on football this weekend
Friday, 13 March 2020
Sydney, Australia
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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