Phoenix import unsure if he can return
Wellington Phoenix import David Ball, who is quarantined in Australia, admits he is still in the dark about whether he will be allowed to return to New Zealand to see his family when the A-League season ends.
In an attempt to stop the spread of Covid-19, the New Zealand Government announced last Thursday that it would be closing the borders to everyone except for citizens and permanent residents.
The border closure was put in place one day after the Phoenix travelled to Australia to finish the A-League season and could have major implications for the team’s five foreign players, including English striker Ball.
‘‘New Zealand acted quite quickly about this and Australia followed soon after,’’ Ball told the Telegraph and Argus. ‘‘So we knew there was a chance that something like this could happen.
‘‘But New Zealand are now shutting the borders to non-residents. It affects me slightly because I’m on a working visa.
‘‘We’ll have to get some clarity from immigration that I can get back in. But you’d like to think they will use some common sense.’’
The Phoenix are just five days through their 14-day stay in isolation but could be away from home for six weeks if the competition continues.
Ball’s wife, Sarah, and their two sons have remained in Wellington.
‘‘Everybody is making sacrifices to be over here,’’ he said.
‘‘My eight-year-old understands what is going on. But I have to tell the younger one how many sleeps it’s going to be before dad can come home.’’