Phoenix must play, can’t train

Wellington Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay’s plea for the A-League to be suspended has fallen on deaf ears.

Football Federation Australia confirmed yesterday that the A-League will play through the Covid-19 pandemic but under strict guidelines.

All of the Phoenix’s remaining games, including potential finals fixtures, will be played in Australia, meaning the team will travel to planned.

In unprecedented circumstances, players and staff will have to enter 14-days of selfisolation upon arrival and cannot train while in quarantine.

‘‘We have had initial conversations that they will be based in Sydney and we are now working through venue availability and hotel availability as well,’’ A-League head Greg O’Rourke said.

‘‘They’re making some fairly concrete plans to leave Wellington [today] to arrive in Sydney later that day and stay here for

Sydney

today

as the completion of the A-League.’’

The Phoenix’s next two games, against Sydney FC and Newcastle Jets, will have to be rescheduled.

All A-League games will now be played behind closed doors, with FFA barring all ‘‘nonessential’’ participants to abide by the Australian government’s ban on mass gatherings of more than 500 people.

Following Sunday’s 3-0 win over Melbourne Victory, Talay said suspending the A-League would be the most sensible decision. He urged the FFA to put the health of the players first.

‘‘I believe it needs a break,’’

Talay said. ‘‘Let this all settle down so everyone knows where we stand and then everyone can go on with what they need to do moving forward.

‘‘Football is just a game, we enjoy it and play for the spectators, but at the end of the day it’s more about the health and safety of the people involved in it.’’

O’Rourke acknowledged the feedback from Phoenix players has been ‘‘mixed’’ as they brace for a two-month stint away from family but said the majority were willing to finish the season in Australia.

Players were given the option to decline and remain in Wellington but the club has received buyin from almost everyone. The only question mark hangs over defender Luke DeVere, whose wife is due to give birth in the coming days.

Victory players and staff will also enter 14 days of self-isolation after missing the border deadline while travelling back from Wellington yesterday.

‘‘It’s not helpful,’’ O’Rourke conceded. ‘‘But we’ve spoken to both of those clubs and both of those clubs are still willing to participate to finish the A-League home and away season.’’