Phoenix frustrated at slow process
The Wellington Phoenix are frustrated by how long it is taking them to be allowed into Australia and fear they could be playing catchup once they get there.
General manager David Dome aired his concerns on yesterday before revealing a decision was expected late tomorrow afternoon.
Australia’s borders are closed as part of the country’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, but the Phoenix are seeking permission to travel ahead of the resumption of the 2019-20 A-league season, which is scheduled for July 16.
Their playing squad is currently split between Wellington, Australia, Mexico, and the United Kingdom, which means they are not able to resume proper training as easily as the league’s other clubs, after they got the go-ahead this week.
Dome said a decision late tomorrow would mean the Wellington-based players and staff wouldn’t be able to fly to Sydney until Friday at the earliest.
A further 48-hour wait following Covid-19 testing would mean they couldn’t begin training until Sunday, or more realistically,
Monday, he added.
‘‘We know for a fact that some clubs started training today, and if we aren’t able to train until Monday, then we’ve lost a whole week worth of training while we wait for this thing to be sorted out.’’
The New Zealand Warriors were granted permission to fly to Australia and train while undergoing a mandatory 14-day quarantine at the start of May, ahead of the resumption of the NRL season at the end of that month, and Dome said he wants the same for the Phoenix as soon as possible.
‘‘All we’re asking for is the same process as the Warriors went through, expedited to get us over there, so it’s an even playing field, as much as it can be, for the
Phoenix general manager
Wellington Phoenix and every other club that can stand up their players right away and start training.’’
An FFA spokesperson said yesterday: ‘‘We are working through a complex process with Government to grant Wellington Phoenix an exemption and move them to a private training facility. Given we are dealing with public health the matter is neither straightforward nor can it be rushed.’’
A NSW Health spokesperson said it wasn’t able to comment on international border control issues. The Australian Border Force has been asked for comment. Dome confirmed the Phoenix were planning for Mexico-based midfielder Ulises Da´vila and United Kingdombased striker Gary Hooper to have to remain separated from the rest of the Phoenix squad for a 14-day quarantine period after arriving. He said they were seeking clarity on whether the duo would at least be allowed to train together.
Assistant coach Giancarlo Italiano and six Phoenix players – Cam Devlin, Luke Devere, Liam Mcging, Reno Piscopo, Jaushua Sotirio, and Brandon Wilson – are known to be in Australia.
When they thought they would receive a decision yesterday, leave on tomorrow and start training on Friday, the Phoenix hadn’t planned to start up again with their Wellington-based players and staff, but Dome said they were reviewing that.
The 2019-20 A-league season was brought to a halt in late March, when Covid-19 restrictions put in place in Australia and New Zealand made it impossible for play to continue.
The Phoenix were six days into a 14-day quarantine in Sydney at the time, staying and training at a sports academy facility, but returned home on March 24.
Early that morning, Phoenix players Tim Payne and Oli Sail took a golf cart on a drunken joy ride, breaching the quarantine, which resulted in a drink-driving charge for Payne that he pleaded guilty to last week, with his sentencing scheduled for June 29.
Dome said that incident had ‘‘never been raised anywhere along the line and it is certainly not an issue’’ with regard to the club’s current travel situation.
Earlier yesterday, FFA announced that the 2019-20 season had been extended until August 31, with the players agreeing to take pay cuts.
FFA head of leagues Greg O’rourke said the remaining 27 matches would be contested over a period of 28 days, with five finals series matches to follow.
One remaining issue is that a broadcast agreement between the league and Fox Sports is still yet to be reached. Meanwhile the Phoenix could still host the A League final if they qualify the FFA has said.
‘‘We know for a fact that some clubs started training today, and if we aren’t able to train until Monday, then we’ve lost a whole week worth of training while we wait for this thing to be sorted out.’’
David Dome (left)