Remainder of 2019-20 season to be played behind closed doors with no fans allowed.

[turbo]

Big decisions to be made and lawyers to consult. For better or worse this could be a defining time in the league's history.

 

[pjennings]

I suspect the decisions (the groundwork) has already been done and things will move quickly.

 

[sydmariner]

Australian professional football united for June re-start of Hyundai A-League 2019/20 season


Football Federation Australia (FFA) CEO James Johnson confirmed today that FFA, the Hyundai A-League clubs and Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) have reached agreement on a comprehensive plan for the re-start of the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 season.
“We are committed to delivering the completion of the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 season and have agreed a comprehensive plan with the Hyundai A-League clubs and the PFA,” Johnson said.

All parties have worked together extremely hard behind the scenes to ensure the professional game is ready to resume.​

“We are now looking forward to the agreement of our broadcast partner, Fox Sports, to our fixture proposal and timings. That’s the final piece of the jigsaw and once we have it in place we can move forward quickly.”
The plan is based on a hub approach which will allow for innovative commercial and broadcast opportunities. It incorporates best practice health protocols for players and officials and provides a schedule that will bring a constant stream of games over a 35-day program.
Johnson added: “Ideally mid-June will see players return to training, allowing them to reach the required elite level of fitness for competitive matches to commence by mid-July, and for the Hyundai A-League Finals Series to be completed by mid-August.
“The proposed timing will mean that the culmination of the Hyundai A-League will coincide with the re-start of Australian grassroots football, connecting the professional game and our two million participants like never before.”

PFA Chief Executive John Didulica said many players had endured an incredibly challenging period, but their collective focus had always remained on returning to play, whilst demonstrating their commitment to the game and its wellbeing.
“The organisation is incredibly proud of the players’ commitment, leadership and contribution to preserving the integrity of the A-League during this unprecedented challenge to Australian football.
“In the absence of a vibrant professional competition there is a flow on effect for the whole game. Today we took an important step with the clubs and FFA toward ensuring the health of the game’s short and long-term future.”
Australian Professional Football Clubs Association (APFCA) Chairman Paul Lederer said he was proud of the way all parties have come together during testing times.
“We are excited to be able to get football back onto the pitch and deliver professional football to our wonderful community. FFA, the clubs and the PFA have all worked collaboratively throughout this process to ensure that we can deliver the exciting final stages of our season. This is about teamwork for the good of the game,” Lederer said.

Head of Hyundai A-League Greg O’Rourke commented: “The hub strategy means that we have a unique opportunity to showcase the Hyundai A-League through a different lens and we will be including new and innovative elements to the matchday broadcast experience.
“Our focus is also on optimising the broadcast flow and therefore providing football content seven days a week. We believe that there are great opportunities for our broadcast partner and therefore the fans.”
O’Rourke emphasised that stringent health and safety protocols are included in the agreed plan to ensure the safety of participants, and added: “The health and safety of our players, match officials, coaches, staff and other match day personnel remains our highest priority and we have taken the necessary steps, with the support of government officials and medical experts, to agree and implement the appropriate protocols, which include rigorous screening and testing regimes.
“These protocols are based on best practice for professional sports from around the world and will mean that we are one of a minority of leagues globally that can resume during this period.

I would like to thank our sponsors and commercial partners for their support, and we particularly appreciate Hyundai working with us through the extended season.

 

[Pirate Pete]

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...eague-hub-will-be-in-nsw-20200529-p54xvs.html
The final matches of the 2019-20 A-League season will be played in NSW, FFA chief executive James Johnson has confirmed.
A day after it was announced the competition was seeking to conclude the season with 32 games in 36 days, Johnson said the majority of the matches will be played in NSW in an isolation hub.
The sole exception will be fixtures between the three Victorian clubs - Melbourne Victory, Melbourne City and Western United - which may be played in that state before the trio head north to join the hub.

Western United marksman Besart Berisha drives an effort on goal in March. Credit:Getty Images
"Will there be a hub? Yes there will. Where will that hub be? It will be in NSW," Johnson told Fox Sports.

Related Article

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FFA, players reach pay deal to bring A-League return a step nearer
Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane were the three venues being considered for the location of the hub. Johnson’s announcement means Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide and Wellington Phoenix will all have to base themselves in NSW for up to five weeks to play out the season.
It was not made clear if the hub would be based solely in Sydney or if it would extend to Gosford, where the Central Coast Mariners are based, and Newcastle.
On Friday, the Phoenix announced they were on-board with the FFA's plans to finish the season, which has been suspended since late March due to the COVID-19 crisis.
Phoenix general manager David Dome said 23 players and 10 staff would cross the Tasman ahead of the season resuming.

On Thursday the FFA, A-League clubs and the PFA announced plans for a restart had been ticked off. Training will resume in mid-June, with the final rounds of the season and finals to be played from mid-July to mid-August.
The final stumbling block is negotiations with host broadcaster Fox Sports, who are yet to back the plan and approve a schedule.

 

[marinermick]

Newcastle Herald quoting Lawrie saying he has seen the draught draw and we are playing the Jets in Newcastle first game back.

 

[Pirate Pete]

Newcastle Herald quoting Lawrie saying he has seen the draught draw and we are playing the Jets in Newcastle first game back.

So, not all the games will be played in Sydney then. From memory we were supposed to play the jets at home weren't we.
Obviously no games at Central Coast stadium now that the rugby posts are up.

 

[style_cafe]

So, not all the games will be played in Sydney then. From memory we were supposed to play the jets at home weren't we.
Obviously no games at Central Coast stadium now that the rugby posts are up.

It only takes a few hours to swap them over mate,like when they play a rugby game mid football season...

 

[Pirate Pete]

It only takes a few hours to swap them over mate,like when they play a rugby game mid football season...

yes, I realise it wouldn't take long.
Once the advertising is sprayed on the grass why bother changing it.
I'm not sure but I presume all the pitchside advertising stuff will remain in place at Central Coast stadium.
So why bother sending a TV crew etc up to Newcastle when the stuff is already in place in Gosford.

I dunno. Let's face it the FFA hate us and will do anything to screw us over........

 

[sydmariner]

FFA, PFA and APFCA finalise a deal for Hyundai A-League 2019/20 season extension
Football Federation Australia (FFA) today announced that an extension of the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 season until 31 August 2020, had been finalised following extensive discussions with the Hyundai A-League clubs and Professional Footballers Australia (PFA).
FFA Chief Executive James Johnson acknowledged the agreement and said “I’d like to thank the players and clubs for their commitment to re-starting the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 season. These are extremely challenging times and I’d like to acknowledge the leadership shown by all to ensure our loyal supporters across Australia will be able to see their favourite teams back in action again soon.
“When the A-League was suspended on 24 March, our players had been paid for the full ten months of the season equating to 83% of their contracted salaries. Our players have shown great solidarity and have agreed to take a reduction in pay for the additional three months of the season to ensure that it can be completed.
“We have all had to readjust to this new landscape and this has meant coming together to make sacrifices for the greater good of the game. The resumption of the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 season is another step forward for the reactivation of football, and we look forward to a return to training and competitive action,” Johnson added.
Australian Professional Football Clubs Association (APFCA) Chairman Paul Lederer said he was excited that professional football is now set to return.
“This is really great news for football fans across Australia, and I am so pleased that their patience has been rewarded, and they will soon get to experience what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 season.
“The clubs are very excited to get playing again, and to be able to deliver the game to our wonderful football community, especially at a time when grassroots football competition will be back in action.”
FFA Head of Leagues Greg O’Rourke was also delighted with the agreement, and said “We’d like to acknowledge the executives of the PFA and Hyundai A-League clubs for their collaboration and work in getting this deal done to take us through to the completion of the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 season.”
“We can now focus on the testing of all players for COVID-19 before a return to training for the clubs this week.
“We will announce details of the revised draw for the remaining 27 matches of the regular season shortly, which will be contested over a period of 28 days, plus the five Final Series matches.
“We look forward to continuing discussions with our broadcast partners regarding broadcast details of all matches.”