AFL FOOTY CANCELLED
PLUS: THE WASH-UP FROM CATS v GIANTS
THE AFL says there are no guarantees the 2020 season will recommence after football was hit by an enforced break that threatens clubs and the financial viability of the league.
In a day of drama and midway through yesterday’s three matches, AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan announced the season would be put on hold until at least May 31.
McLachlan said the league was facing “its biggest financial crisis in our history” and Hawthorn boss Jeff Kennett said football’s only priority was surviving until next season.
“To say this is the most serious threat to our game in 100 years is an understatement,” McLachlan said.
Clubs will send their players home — probably until the end of April — when the league will decide whether it needs a further postponement.
But while players return to their families the AFL will commence its version of the NFL’s Bloody Monday — a series of the most savage financial cuts to clubs and the league that has ever occurred.
Those cuts could result in the AFL’s football department cap being reduced by 40 per cent, a purge of club staff across all levels and the securing of a line of credit that would allow clubs to avoid trading while insolvent.
Some clubs will this week stand down staff and put them on unpaid leave until it has roles for them to fulfil.
THE AFL has been suspended, the AFLW season is over with no premier and the ability of Australia’s other professional football codes to play on through the coronavirus pandemic appears increasingly untenable.
A dramatic Sunday began with the Federal Government recommending a ban on “non-essential” domestic travel before several states announced they would implement shutdown procedures during the next 48 hours.
In response, AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said the 2020 men’s season would be put on hold until at least May 31.
“We will review the situation by the end of April to determine whether a further suspension period would be required,” McLachlan said.
“The decision by various state governments to close their borders, travel bans and other measures meant it was time for the AFL to immediately stop the AFLW and AFL competitions.”
The remainder of the AFLW season has been abandoned, with no premier to be named for the 2020 campaign.
McLachlan said the code was facing its greatest financial challenge.
“To say this is the most serious threat to our game in 100 years is an understatement. It is unprecedented in its impact,” he said.
The decision came hours after Victoria, NSW, Western Australia and South Australia all announced various shutdown measures to be enforced within the next couple of days.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison had earlier indicated professional sport was unlikely to be affected by his recommendation that people should avoid travel interstate or long-distance — unless for work, essential services or on compassionate grounds.
“I am not going to pre-empt those outcomes but I am sure we can work those issues through on a practical case-by-case basis,” he said.
Both the NRL and A-League are holding off on making a decision until they get advice after last night’s national cabinet meeting.
“This changes hourly and decisions we make today could change tomorrow (Monday),” ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys told Triple M. “Tonight is a vital meeting for us moving forward.”
The league has chartered a plane to take teams around the country, lessening the chance of players and staff being exposed to the virus while travelling.
The A-League had no fixtures yesterday but scheduled two matches for today, with Newcastle hosting Melbourne City and Western United taking on Perth.
FFA chief executive James Johnson said a decision on the competition’s immediate future would be made today.
“We were very comfortable to take the initial decision to allow the leagues to continue with additional measures in place and have worked through a number of scenarios to facilitate the completion of the ALeague season,” Johnson said.
“However, we remain under no illusions as to how fluid this situation is so we will remain agile and responsive to the challenges this pandemic brings.”