Phoenix frustrated with 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 yesterday before revealing a decision was expected late today.
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 goahead this week.
Dome said a decision late today 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 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.”
Dome confirmed the Phoenix were planning for Mexico-based midfielder Ulises Da´ vila and United Kingdom-based 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 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.
One remaining issue is that a broadcast agreement between the league and Fox Sports is still yet to be reached.
PHOENIX COULD HOST FINAL
It sounds far-fetched but the A-League believe this year’s grand final could be played anywhere in Australia, or even in New Zealand. The plan is to play the remaining games of the season across a 28-day period before embarking on a one-week finals campaign.
FFA head of leagues Greg O’Rourke says if border restrictions have been suitably eased by mid-August, finals could be played at various venues including New Zealand.