Football Federation Australia CEO James Johnson confirmed on Monday that football will continue to be played around the country, outlining a number of guidelines participants should adhere too.
Taking effect as of today (Monday, March 16), Johnson outlined some key guidelines to help participants take extra precautions and preventative measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
To read FFA's COVID-19 guidelines for football, CLICK HERE.
Read Johnson's thoughts below and the full list of guidelines and advice.
"Football Federation Australia (FFA) continues to take the health and safety of football participants including players, coaches, officials, staff, volunteers and fans, across all levels of the game very seriously.
"As you are no doubt aware, COVID-19 is a quickly-evolving global situation.
"FFA has been and will continue to closely monitor all COVID-19 developments in consultation with the Federal Government as well as through the National COVID-19 Working Committee, which was established last week to address the threat of COVID-19 to football in Australia, comprising representatives from FFA, the Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-League, State Body Members and Professional Footballers Australia.
"A copy of the outcome of the group's first meeting was communicated via press release on Friday,13 March 2020. FFA is aware that since Friday's update, many members of the football community have expressed concerns as to whether football in Australia should continue to be played at this time.
"The National COVID-19 Working Committee met on 15 March 2020 to discuss the latest COVID-19 developments and to consider the latest advice from the Federal Government and the Chief Medical Officer. After careful consideration and consistent with that advice, FFA advises that football may continue to be played across Australia at this time.
"In doing so, participants should adhere to the guidelines attached to this circular which are designed to assist participants take extra precautions and preventative measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
"FFA acknowledges that each Competition Administrator may, in response to the exceptional circumstances posed by COVID-19, take decisions based on the facts and circumstances relevant to their Competition and consistent with their competition rules and the National Registration Regulations (for example, where a match should be rescheduled if a team cannot participate as a result of the unavailability of players due to COVID-19).
"Getting the latest information FFA encourages all Members, Competition Administrators, Clubs and participants to seek guidance before making decisions regarding football activities. For the latest information on COVID-19, please refer to the following:
- World Health Organisation - https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus2019
- Department of Health - https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/novel-coronavirus2019-ncov
